ADHD Treatment Medication
Stimulants, the most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD seem to balance brain chemicals and boost their levels. They cannot treat the disorder, but rather treat symptoms if taken regularly.
The adverse effects of ADHD medications may include changes in blood pressure as well as heart rate, anxiety, and tics. Certain teens and children who take stimulant drugs have a slight decrease in their growth.
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant and the most commonly prescribed drug to treat ADHD. Iam Psychiatry is available in a variety of forms, such as tablets that chew liquid as well as an oral disintegrating tablet that acts long, and a pill with extended release. The drug increases levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This improves concentration. It can also help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Methylphenidate can be a successful treatment for ADHD when combined with other treatments, like behavioural therapy.
Methylphenidate blocks transporters that remove these neurotransmitters from the brain. The drug can cause an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. Patients with diabetes should be on guard when taking this medication because it can cause an abrupt rise in blood sugar. If you experience any of these side effects, talk to your doctor. Methylphenidate may also cause Raynaud’s phenomenon, which causes numbness of the fingers and feet. This is a rare side effect, however, it is crucial to tell your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Some people are concerned that methylphenidate may slow the growth of children. However this hasn't been proven. If your child is taking methylphenidate be sure to keep an eye on their weight and height. If your child takes a tablet containing methylphenidate that contains phenylalanine, it can be dangerous to children with phenylketonuria. Consult your physician about an alternative methylphenidate formulation when you suffer from PKU.
Some people have difficulty with stimulants which are the most popular treatment for ADHD. In these cases doctors may prescribe another medication that works in a similar manner. Apart from methylphenidate there are other stimulants like dexamfetamine and the lisdexamfetamine. These substances can last longer and are more potent than methylphenidate. They are typically taken two to three times per day However, some people take them more often. Psychological treatments are also available to treat ADHD, but they are less likely to prove helpful than a stimulant.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also known under the brand name Strattera, is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that boosts concentration and reduces hyperactivity as well as impulsiveness. It is in a class of medications known as selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and is a stimulant of dopamine and norepinephrine, two chemical messengers that control the brain's activity. It is a preferred choice for both adults and children who prefer a different kind of medication from stimulants like Adderall and Vyvanse.
It is important to remember that atomoxetine is not effective instantly and it could take up to 6 weeks for the effects of the drug to be apparent. You may also experience negative side effects, such as drowsiness and nausea. For most patients, the advantages of taking atomoxetine far outweigh any risk.
In a double-blind placebo controlled study that was conducted on 297 ADHD patients aged 12 to 18 years old, the effectiveness of atomoxetine was confirmed. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the daily dose of atomoxetine 0.6 mg/kg or 1.2 mg/kg or a placebo for a period of 9 weeks. Both the atomoxetine and the placebo group experienced a reduction in symptoms of depression. The atomoxetine group experienced more improvement in ADHD symptoms than the placebo group. However the improvement was only modest (Michelson and colleagues 2001).
In a different open trial, 10 patients suffering from ADHD who were unable to respond to stimulants were treated with atomoxetine over 8 weeks. The group treated with atomoxetine showed improvement in ADHD symptoms in comparison to placebo, with scores on Conners Adult ADHD Scale Investigator Rated screening version and the Clinical Global Impression Severity scales gaining significant. However, one patient developed an allergic reaction and was removed from the study. Three patients experienced gastrointestinal issues that were transient and one patient reported fatigue that was more severe (Kratochvil and co., 2005).
Consult your physician before you start treatment with atomoxetine about your medical history, including any medications or supplements you take. This includes herbal remedies as well as prescription medicines. It is particularly important to inform your doctor if there is narrow-angle glaucoma or a thyroid tumor or adrenal gland tumor and high blood pressure heart disease, or an unusually sudden death. You should stay clear of the use of atomoxetine if you've taken an MAO-inhibitor like isocarboxazid or linezolid within the last 14 days, or rasagiline, Methylene Blue Injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine.
Bupropion
Bupropion is a non-stimulant medication that can aid in reducing symptoms of ADHD. It also helps reduce the impulsivity of children and improve concentration. However, it does not affect the brain in the same way that stimulants do. Only prescriptions are accepted. Your doctor will decide on the best dosage for you. Bupropion comes in tablets and extended-release capsules. It is essential to follow the instructions. If you stop taking it suddenly you could experience withdrawal symptoms.
The usual dosage is two or three doses per day, separated by 4-6 hours. The dosage can range between 100 mg twice or three times a day up to 150 mg three or four times a day. The drug is in the digestive system and excreted in urine. It isn't able to penetrate breast milk. It can, however, get into the bloodstream and cause harm to other organs. Bupropion can increase your blood pressure, making it important to check it often.
In addition to reducing the symptoms of ADHD Bupropion can also reduce depression. It can also be used to treat bipolar disorder. It is a method of blocking dopamine receptors in your brain. This blocks the neurotransmitter dopamine, from reaching your brain. This helps to stabilize your mood.
Bupropion may interact with other medications. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medication. It's also important to determine if you have any allergies. You should also avoid caffeine or other stimulants, as they could make the adverse effects worse.
A number of studies have examined the effects of bupropion versus placebos in adults with ADHD. The results of these studies were mixed, and the majority of them were poorly conducted. Moreover, many of them did not include participants with psychiatric disorders. The research suggests that bupropion can have a small effect on ADHD. However, more research is needed to determine positive patient-centered outcomes like improvements in quality of life. Additionally, a more precise understanding of the molecular subtypes of ADHD is required before effective treatment can be created. This is a greater understanding of the connection between the various molecular pathways. Moreover, it's critical to know how various anti-ADHD medications work with psychotherapy.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Antidepressants can be prescribed by doctors if stimulants prescribed for children with ADHD are not effective or cause side effects. These medications, including imipramine and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), are effective in boosting the neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as dopamine in the brain to aid in concentration. These are older drugs that may have a number of adverse effects, so they're usually only used after other medications have failed.
The first choice of antidepressants for depression is usually a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) like fluoxetine sertraline, citalopram or escitalopram. However, tricyclic antidepressants, which have been around for a long time, can be utilized in certain instances. These medications are also effective in treating neuropathic pain and provide a pain-relieving effect that is separate from their antidepressant activity. They potentiate the noradrenephrine receptor, by preventing its reuptake, and they also act as descending modulators for pain pathways in spinal cord.
SSRIs have less risk of toxicity and have less severe adverse effects than tricyclic antidepressants. They're also safer during pregnancy and aren't teratogenic in humans or animals. If they are abruptly stopped, they can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor might suggest gradually decreasing the dosage over several weeks to lessen the negative effects.
Although not officially recognized by the FDA as a treatment for adhd bupropion is commonly prescribed antidepressant that is off-label for ADHD. It's believed to work by increasing the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and acetylcholine within the brain to increase concentration. It is also believed to alleviate anxiety and stress. It can be paired with stimulants to achieve faster and longer-lasting results.
While there aren't any FDA-approved medications that are nonstimulant for ADHD however, many people feel relief through the use of nutritional supplements and herbs. A diet low on sugar and fat may also aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Similarly, eliminating caffeine can be beneficial for certain people. Inform your doctor about all medications that you or your child are taking such as herbal remedies and prescription medications. This will minimize unwanted side effects as well as prevent interactions. ADHD medications can affect individuals differently. It could take a bit of trial and error to discover the ideal dosage and drug for your child or you.