ADHD Treatment Medication
Stimulants are the most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD and can boost and balance levels of brain chemicals. However, they cannot cure the condition and will only help manage symptoms as long as they are taken regularly.
The side effects of ADHD medication can include changes in blood pressure, heart rate, anxiety, and tics. Some children and teenagers who take stimulant drugs have a slight decrease in their growth rate.
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is a stimulant for the central nervous system and is the most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD. It is available in a variety of forms, including tablets that chew liquid as well as an oral disintegrating tablet that performs long, and a pill with extended release. The drug boosts the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This improves concentration. It can also lessen the symptoms of depression and anxiety. When used in conjunction with other treatments such as behavioral therapy, methylphenidate can be an effective treatment for ADHD.
Methylphenidate is a drug that blocks transporters that remove these neurotransmitters from the brain. The drug may cause a slight increase in heart rate and blood pressure. It can also cause an abrupt change in blood sugar levels, so those with diabetes must be aware when taking this medication. Talk to your doctor when you have any of these symptoms. Methylphenidate may also trigger the condition known as Raynaud's phenomenon that causes numbness as well as pain in the toes and fingers. It is a rare but serious side effect. It is crucial to inform your doctor if these symptoms develop.
There are some who believe that methylphenidate can slow down the growth of children. However, this has not been proven. If you have a child being treated with methylphenidate, be sure to monitor his or her weight and height closely. If your child is taking chewable tablets containing methylphenidate is a phenylalanine-based tablet, which can be dangerous for children with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). If you have PKU, consult your physician about other formulations of methylphenidate.
Some people have difficulty with stimulants which are the primary option for treating ADHD. In these instances, doctors might prescribe another medication that performs in a similar manner. In addition to methylphenidate, there are other stimulants, such as dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine. These drugs are a little stronger than methylphenidate and can last longer. They are usually taken at least three times a day However, some people might be able take them more frequently. There are also psychological treatments for ADHD however, they are less effective than stimulants.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine is also known as the brand name Strattera, is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that boosts concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It is in a class of drugs known as selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors. It works by boosting levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, two chemical messengers that regulate the brain's activity. It is a favorite among children and adults who want an alternative to stimulants such as Adderall or Vyvanse.
It is important to remember that atomoxetine does not work instantly and it could take up to 6 weeks for the effects of the medication to be evident. There are also side effects such as nausea and drowsiness. However the benefits of atomoxetine far outweigh the risks for a majority of patients.
The efficacy of atomoxetine was verified in a double-blind, multisite placebo-controlled study with 297 ADHD patients ages 12 to 18. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either atomoxetine in a daily dose of 0.6 mg/kg or 1.2 mg/kg or a placebo for 9 weeks. In both the atomoxetine and placebo groups, symptoms of depression were less. The atomoxetine treatment group had more improvement in ADHD symptoms than the placebo group. However, the improvement was modest (Michelson and co. 2001).
In a second open trial that included 10 ADHD patients who were not responding to stimulants were given the treatment of atomoxetine for eight weeks. The group treated with atomoxetine showed improvement in ADHD symptoms when compared to the placebo group with scores on the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale Investigator Rated Screening version and Clinical Global Impressions of Severity scale increasing significantly. One patient however, experienced an rash and resigned from the study. Three patients also reported temporary stomach symptoms, and one patient complained of increased fatigue.
Talk to your doctor prior to you start treatment with atomoxetine about your health history, including any medications or supplements you take. This includes herbal remedies as well as prescription medications. It is particularly important to inform your doctor if there is narrow-angle glaucoma, a thyroid tumor or adrenal gland tumor or high blood pressure, heart disease, or an unusually sudden death. Also, avoid atomoxetine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor like isocarboxazid, linezolid or methylene blue injection rasagiline, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.
Bupropion
Bupropion, a non-stimulant drug can help improve ADHD symptoms. It can also reduce impulsivity and boost concentration, but it doesn't affect the brain in the same way that stimulants do. Only prescriptions are approved. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate dosage for you. Bupropion is available in capsules and tablets. It is essential to take the medication exactly as directed. You may experience withdrawal symptoms in the event that you stop abruptly.
The most common dosage is two or three doses per day divided by four to six hours. The dose can range between 100 mg two or three times per day to 150 mg three or four times a day. The drug is absorbed by the digestive system and excreted in urine. It isn't able to penetrate breast milk. However, it is able to enter the bloodstream and impact other organs. Bupropion can increase blood pressure. It's important to keep it in check frequently.
In addition to helping improve the symptoms of ADHD Bupropion can also reduce depression. It is also used to treat bipolar disorder. It works by blocking the dopamine receptors in your brain. This blocks the neurotransmitter dopamine from reaching your brain, which helps stabilize your mood.
Bupropion can interact with other medications. Inform your doctor if taking any other medication. It's also important to know if you have any allergies. You should also avoid caffeine or other stimulants, which could make the adverse effects worse.
A number of studies have examined the effects of bupropion versus placebos in adults with ADHD. These studies produced mixed results, and a lot were poorly designed. Moreover, many of them excluded people with psychiatric comorbidity. The data indicate that bupropion can have a modest impact on ADHD. However it is necessary to conduct more research to determine positive patient-centered outcomes like improvements in quality of life. Furthermore, a better understanding of the molecular subtypes of ADHD is required before effective treatment can be created. This is a greater understanding of the interplay between the molecular pathways. It is also crucial to know the way that anti-ADHD medications work in combination with psychotherapy.
Tricyclic antidepressants
When the stimulants prescribed for children with ADHD do not work or cause adverse side effects, the doctor may consider antidepressants as a treatment. These medications, including imipramine and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), are effective in boosting the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain to help people focus. These older medications can cause serious side effects. They are usually only employed when other drugs fail.
The first choice of antidepressants in depression is usually an inhibitor of serotonin reuptake (SSRI) like sertraline, fluoxetine or citalopram. Tricyclic antidepressants continue to be used in certain cases, despite their long history. These medications are effective in treating neuropathic and other pains however their antidepressant effect is not the identical. They increase the activity of the noradrenephrine receptor by blocking its reuptake, and they also act as descending modulators for pain pathways website in spinal cord.
SSRIs have a lower risk of toxicity and less serious adverse effects than tricyclic antidepressants. They are also less harmful during pregnancy and do not appear to be teratogenic to humans or animals. If they are abruptly stopped, they could cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor may suggest slowly decreasing the dosage over several weeks to minimize these effects.
Although not officially recognized by the FDA as a medication for adhd, bupropion is a commonly prescribed antidepressant that is off-label for ADHD. It's believed to increase the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine and acetylcholine within the brain to improve concentration. It is also believed to reduce anxiety and stress. It can be paired with stimulants to produce more rapid and lasting results.
While there aren't any FDA-approved nonstimulant medications for ADHD Many people get relief from the use of nutritional supplements and herbs. A diet low in fat and sugar may aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Also, avoiding caffeine can be beneficial to some people. It's important to tell your doctor about all medications your child or you is taking, including prescription medications and herbal remedies. This will help prevent interactions and minimize unwanted adverse effects. ADHD medication can affect people differently. It may take some trial and error before you find the right dosage and drug for your child or yourself.