ADHD Treatment Medication
Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD, and appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals. They cannot cure the disorder and only help manage symptoms if they are used regularly.
Side effects of ADHD medications can include changes in blood pressure as well as heart rate, anxiety, and tics. Certain teens and children who take stimulant drugs experience a slight reduction in their growth.
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is a central nervous stimulant, is the most common medication used to treat ADHD. It is available in a variety of forms, including a liquid chewable tablet and an oral disintegrating tablet that performs long, and a pill with extended release. The drug increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This improves concentration. It can also help to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Methylphenidate is an effective treatment for ADHD in conjunction with other treatments, including behavioural therapy.
Methylphenidate works by blocking the transporters that are normally responsible for removing these neurotransmitters from the brain. The drug could cause an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. It may also trigger a rapid change in blood sugar levels, so people with diabetes should be aware when taking this medication. If you have any of these side effects, speak with your doctor. Methylphenidate can also trigger Raynaud's phenomenon, which causes numbness of the fingers and feet. It is a rare but serious side result. It is crucial to inform your doctor in the event that these symptoms develop.
There are some who believe that methylphenidate could slow the growth of children. However it hasn't been proved. If you have a child who is being treated with methylphenidate be sure to monitor the child's weight and height closely. If your child takes tablets containing methylphenidate, the phenylalanine in it could pose a risk to children suffering from Phenylketonuria. Consult your physician about a different formulation of methylphenidate in case you suffer from PKU.
Some people are unable to take stimulants, which are the first treatment for ADHD. In these instances doctors might prescribe other drugs that function in a similar manner. There are other stimulants, such as dexamfetamine or lisdexamfetamine in addition to the methylphenidate. These drugs can last longer and are more potent than methylphenidate. They are usually taken between two and three times daily however some people may take them more often. Psychological treatments are also available to treat ADHD however they are less likely to be effective than stimulants.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also known by the brand name Strattera, is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that increases concentration and reduces hyperactivity as well as impulsiveness. It belongs to a class called selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. It is a drug that increases levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, two chemical messengers which control brain activity. It is popular among adults and children who seek a different medication than stimulants such as Adderall or Vyvanse.
It is important to know that atomoxetine does not work immediately. It can take up 6 weeks before the effects of this drug are evident. Additionally, you could suffer from side effects like reduced appetite, drowsiness and upset stomach. For most patients, the benefits of taking atomoxetine are greater than any risk.
In a double-blind placebo-controlled study conducted on 297 ADHD patients aged 12 to 18, the effectiveness of atomoxetine has been confirmed. The participants were randomly assigned to receive atomoxetine, a daily dose of 0.6 mg per kilogram or 1.2 mg/kg or a placebo over 9 weeks. In both atomoxetine as well as placebo groups depression symptoms were less. The treatment group with atomoxetine showed better improvement in ADHD symptoms than the placebo group. However, the improvement was modest (Michelson et al 2001).
In a different open trial, 10 patients with ADHD who were unable to respond to stimulants were treated with atomoxetine for 8 weeks. The atomoxetine treatment group showed improvements in ADHD symptoms in comparison to placebo, with scores on Conners Adult ADHD Scale Investigator Version of the screening and the Clinical Global Impression Severity scales increasing significantly. One patient had to withdraw due to an outbreak of rash. In addition, three patients reported transient gastrointestinal disturbances and one experienced increased fatigue (Kratochvil et al 2005).
Before you begin treatment with atomoxetine to your doctor about your health history as well as any other supplements or medications that you are taking. This includes herbal remedies as well as over the counter medications. It is crucial to tell your doctor if you have narrow-angle glaucoma or a thyroid tumor or adrenal gland tumor, high blood pressure, heart disease or an unusually sudden death. You should also avoid atomoxetine if taken an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid or methylene blue injection rasagiline, phenelzine or tranylcypromine, in the past 14 days.
Bupropion
Bupropion is a nonstimulant that can improve the symptoms of ADHD. It can also reduce impulsivity and increase concentration, but it does not affect the brain in the same way as stimulants. It's available by prescription only. Your doctor will determine the best dosage for you. Bupropion comes in tablets as well as extended-release capsules. It is essential to follow the directions. If you stop taking it abruptly, you may have withdrawal symptoms.
It is usually taken two or three times per day with a 4-6 hour interval between each dose. The dosage can range from 100mg twice or three times per day to 150mg four or three times each day. The drug is absorbed by the digestive tract and is excreted in urine, meaning it can't enter breast milk. However, it is able to enter the bloodstream and affect other organs. Bupropion can raise blood pressure, making it vital to monitor it regularly.
Bupropion, in addition to improving ADHD symptoms and reducing depression, also helps to reduce the symptoms of ADHD. It also helps treat bipolar disorder. It works by blocking dopamine receptors in your brain. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, is blocked from entering your brain, which helps to regulate your mood.
Bupropion can interact with other medications. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medication. It's also important to know whether you suffer from any allergies. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants because they can make side effects worse.
A number of studies have compared bupropion with placebos in adults suffering from ADHD. The results of these studies were mixed, and the majority of studies were not conducted properly. Many of these studies excluded participants with psychiatric co-morbidity. Nevertheless, the data suggest that bupropion can have a slight effect on ADHD. Further research is needed to determine the positive effects for patients, including an improvement in quality of life. Before effective treatments can be created, it is necessary to gain a better understanding of the molecular types of ADHD. This requires a deeper understanding of the connection between the various molecular pathways. Additionally, it's important to know how various anti-ADHD agents work in combination with psychotherapy.
Tricyclic antidepressants
If the stimulants prescribed to children suffering from ADHD do not work or cause troublesome side effects, doctors may consider antidepressants as a treatment. These medications, like imipramine and Nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor), increase the neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine in the brain, which helps people focus. These are older drugs that can have challenging side effects, so they're typically only considered when other medications have failed.
The first option of antidepressants for depression is typically a selective serotonin receptor inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, or escitalopram. Tricyclic antidepressants are still used in certain instances despite their long history. They are effective in treating neuropathic and other pains however their antidepressant effect is not the same. They enhance noradrenephrine through inhibiting its reuptake. They also function as antagonists of pain pathways in the spinal cord.
SSRIs are less toxic and have less adverse effects than tricyclic antidepressants. In addition, they're safer in the womb and do not appear to cause teratogenicity in humans or animals. However, they can cause significant withdrawal symptoms if they are stopped abruptly. To minimize these adverse effects, your physician might suggest reducing the dosage gradually over a period of time.
While not officially approved by the FDA as a treatment for adhd Bupropion is a widely prescribed antidepressant off-label to treat ADHD. It is believed to work by increasing neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which improves concentration. It also helps relieve stress and anxiety. It can be used in conjunction with stimulants to produce more rapid and lasting results.
While there are buy adhd medication uk -approved nonstimulant medications for ADHD Many people get relief from the use of supplements to their diets and herbs. A diet low on fat and sugar can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Certain people can benefit by staying clear of caffeine. Discuss with your doctor any medicines you or your child take such as herbal remedies and over-the-counter medicines. This will help prevent interactions and reduce unwanted adverse effects. ADHD medications can affect every person differently, which is why it's often a process of trial and error to determine the right dosage and drug for your child or yourself.