ADHD Treatment Medication Stimulants are among the most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD, and appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals. However, they don't cure the condition and can only help with symptoms as long as they're taken regularly. Side effects of ADHD medications may include changes in blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety, and tics. Certain teens and children who are taking stimulant medication notice a slight slowing in their growth. Methylphenidate Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant and is the most frequently prescribed drug to treat ADHD. It is available in a variety of forms, such as a liquid chewable tablet and an oral disintegrating tablet that performs long and has an extended release. The drug increases levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This helps to improve concentration. It may also reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. When used in conjunction with other treatments like behavioral therapy, methylphenidate could be an effective treatment for ADHD. Methylphenidate is a drug that blocks transporters that normally remove these neurotransmitters from the brain. The medication can cause a slight increase in blood pressure and heart rate. It can also cause rapid changes in blood sugar levels, and those with diabetes must be aware when taking this medication. If you experience any of these side effects, talk with your doctor. Methylphenidate may also trigger the condition known as Raynaud's phenomenon that causes numbness as well as pain in the fingers and toes. This is an uncommon side effect, but it is important to tell your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms. There is a concerns that methylphenidate may slow children's growth, but it hasn't been proven to be the situation. If you have a child being treated with methylphenidate ensure that you monitor the child's weight and height carefully. If your child takes a tablet containing methylphenidate that contains phenylalanine, it can be dangerous to children suffering from phenylketonuria. If you suffer from PKU consult your physician about other methylphenidate formulations. Certain people have issues with stimulants, which are the first choice of medication for treating ADHD. In these instances, doctors might prescribe a different medication that functions in a similar manner. There are also other stimulants, like dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine, in addition to methylphenidate. These drugs can last for longer and are more potent than methylphenidate. They are usually taken two to three times per day However, some people take them more often. Psychological treatments are also available for treating ADHD however, they are less likely to be helpful than a stimulant. Atomoxetine Atomoxetine is also called Strattera and is a nonstimulant ADHD drug that boosts concentration, while decreasing hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It belongs to a category known as selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors. It is a drug that increases levels of norepinephrine and dopamine two chemical messengers that control the brain's activity. It is a favorite choice for children and adults who want a different type of medication than stimulants, like Adderall and Vyvanse. It is crucial to keep in mind that atomoxetine is not effective immediately, and it may take up to 6 weeks for the effects of the drug to be evident. There are also negative side effects, such as drowsiness and nausea. For the majority of patients the benefits of taking atomoxetine outweigh the risks. The efficacy of atomoxetine was confirmed in a multisite double-blind placebo-controlled study involving 297 ADHD patients aged 12 to 18. Participants were randomly assigned to receive atomoxetine at a daily dose 0.6 mg/kg or 1.2 mg/kg or a placebo over a period of 9 weeks. In both the atomoxetine and placebo groups depression symptoms were reduced. The atomoxetine group experienced more improvements in ADHD symptoms than the placebo group. The improvement was not significant. In another open trial, 10 patients suffering from ADHD who failed to respond to stimulants were treated with atomoxetine for 8 weeks. The group treated with atomoxetine showed improvement in ADHD symptoms compared to the placebo group with scores on the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale Investigator Rated Screening version as well as the Clinical Global Impressions of Severity scale improving significantly. One patient was unable to continue treatment due to an outbreak of rash. Three patients also reported temporary gastrointestinal symptoms, and one patient reported increased fatigue. Consult your physician before you begin treatment with atomoxetine regarding your medical history, including any medications or supplements you're taking. This includes herbal remedies as well as prescription medications. It is especially important to tell your doctor if you have narrow-angle glaucoma or a thyroid tumor or adrenal gland tumor and high blood pressure heart disease, or a history of sudden death. You should avoid atomoxetine as well in the event that you've taken an MAO inhibitor, such isocarboxazid or linezolid within the last 14 days, or rasagiline, Methylene Blue Injection, phenelzine or tranylcypromine. Bupropion Bupropion is a nonstimulant that can aid in reducing symptoms of ADHD. It also helps to reduce impulsivity and improve concentration, but it doesn't affect the brain in the same way that stimulants do. It's available by prescription only. Your doctor will determine the best dosage for you. Bupropion comes in tablets and extended-release capsules. It is essential to follow the prescriptions. You might experience withdrawal symptoms in the event that you stop abruptly. The typical dosage is two or three doses daily divided by 4-6 hours. The dose can range from 100 mg twice or three times a day to 150 mg three or four times a day. The drug is absorbed in the digestive tract, and then eliminated into urine, meaning it cannot be absorbed into breast milk. However, it is able to enter the bloodstream and impact other organs. resources raises blood pressure. It is important to check it regularly. In addition to improving the symptoms of ADHD In addition, bupropion may reduce depression. It is also used to treat bipolar disorder. It works by blocking dopamine receptors that are located in your brain. This prevents the neurotransmitter dopamine from entering your brain, which helps stabilize your mood. Bupropion can interact with other medications. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medications. resources 's also important to know if you have any allergies. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants as they can cause side effects to become worse. A number of studies have compared bupropion to placebos in adults with ADHD. The results of these studies were mixed, and the majority of them were not well-designed. Many of these studies excluded patients with psychiatric co-morbidity. However, the research suggests that bupropion has a modest impact on ADHD. However it is necessary to conduct more research to identify positive outcomes for patients like improvements in quality of life. Before effective treatments can be developed, it is necessary to have a better understanding of the molecular types of ADHD. This requires a deeper understanding of the connection between the different molecular pathways. It's also important to understand how anti-ADHD drugs work in combination with psychotherapy. Tricyclic antidepressants Antidepressants are often prescribed by doctors when stimulants prescribed to children with ADHD don't work or cause adverse side negative effects. These medications, including imipramine and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), work by increasing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as dopamine in the brain, which help people focus. These are older drugs which can cause serious side effects, so they're usually only used when other drugs have failed. The first option for depression-related antidepressants is typically a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine, sertraline or citalopram. Tricyclic antidepressants continue to be used in certain cases despite their long-standing history. They are also effective in treating neuropathic pain and provide a pain-relieving effect that is distinct from their antidepressant effect. They potentiate noradrenephrine by inhibiting its reuptake. They also function as antagonists of pain pathways in the spinal cord. SSRIs have less risk of toxicity and have less severe adverse effects than tricyclic antidepressants. They are also less harmful during pregnancy and do not appear to be teratogenic for animals or humans. However, they may cause severe withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped. To minimize these adverse effects, your physician may suggest reducing the dose gradually over a period of several weeks. Bupropion, a common antidepressant prescribed off-label to treat ADHD, is not FDA approved as an adhd drug. It is believed to increase the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine and acetylcholine within the brain, which improves concentration. It is also believed to reduce anxiety and stress. It can be combined with stimulants for faster and longer-lasting results. While there are no other FDA-approved nonstimulant medications for ADHD, many people do find relief with the use of supplements to their diets and herbs. A diet that is low in fat and sugar may aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. In the same way, removing caffeine can be beneficial for certain people. Inform your doctor about all medicines you or your child is taking, including herbal remedies and prescription drugs. This can help reduce unwanted side effects and help prevent interactions. ADHD medication can affect each person differently, and it's often a process of trial and error to discover the appropriate dosage and medication for your child or you.
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