ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It helps improve brain communication, which decreases ADHD.
safest adhd medication for adults medications can cause negative side effects like decreased appetite and difficulty sleeping. The majority of these side effects are
mild adhd medication and will disappear by themselves or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for decades. It is considered to be safe when used in the dosages recommended under the supervision of a doctor.
Nevertheless there have been reports of abuse and addiction even when the drug is taken in therapeutic doses. Physicians must assess each patient's risk and monitor symptoms throughout the treatment. It is also crucial to educate patients and their families about the dangers and the need for proper disposal of any unneeded medication. Using a locked medication box is ideal since it will stop children from accessing and consuming doses that are not used. It's also a great idea to inform patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal feelings or thoughts, especially for those who suffer from bipolar disorder or depression or have a mental health history. Talk with your doctor right immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure which could lead to strokes or heart problems. If you feel chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, or excessive sweating, call your doctor immediately. Inform your doctor if there is an ancestor with a history of heart disease, sudden death or if you've ever had a stroke or bleeding problems. This medication can cause numbness or discomfort in your toes or fingers. It can also make it difficult to fall asleep.
It isn't clear whether the brand-name version of the product is more effective than its generic counterpart. However many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version due its history of safety and effectiveness. It is also important to note that this medication can be misused and should not be administered to a person who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some individuals have reported that this medication is more effective than other medications, but this is purely anecdotal and hasn't been proven scientifically. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to generic and name-brand methylphenidate, but this isn't the case for every child.
Side effects
It takes time to find the appropriate dose when you start medication to treat ADHD. A healthcare professional will observe the body reactions of your child or yourself and make adjustments to determine the most effective medication. These medications are potent and can cause side effects, from irritability and sleep disorders to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate, and is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It is a stimulant that increases levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, which are chemicals that control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and decreases anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin can trigger serious heart problems, including strokes and sudden deaths in those with certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disorders and high blood pressure as well as a history or cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications, Ritalin can result in a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It may also raise your or your child's pulse rate and blood pressure little. If you have heart issues or a pre-existing condition your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other side effects include changes in mood, like anxiety and depression. These side effects can also affect the behavior of children, which is particularly challenging for children who are still young. In some cases it can trigger the development of tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which are repetitive actions and sounds like eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow down growth in adolescents and children. However, this is usually temporary and
does adhd medication work not affect their height at the end of the day.
The medication is available in a variety of forms, but only on prescription. It could be a tablet that's swallowed, chewed or dissolved or a capsule that is open and sprinkled onto food or in a liquid. Some people make use of a formula that is short-acting and lasts between three and six hours. Some people take it for a longer time and require a higher dosage.
This medication may interact with certain other drugs like monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It can also increase your or your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications have the potential to interact with other medications or substances, which may alter their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful and even life-threatening. You should inform your doctor about all the other medicines you or your child are taking, including over-the-counter medicines as well as supplements and vitamins. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants. This is especially true for those that contain monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This can lead to serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, and hallucinations. Ritalin should not be taken by those who suffer from circulatory issues such as Raynaud's phenomenon or high blood pressure. It can also worsen symptoms for those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
Certain fMRI studies have shown that a high dose of methylphenidate given to responders to medication during stop-and time discrimination tasks increased the activity of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial cingulate cortex, anterior cingulate (ACC) and striatum. These changes were accompanied with normalization of the underactivation in the same regions under non-medicament and placebo conditions.
These results show that methylphenidate improves performance in the tasks of stopping and timing discrimination by increasing extracellular norepinephrine and dopamine. Other fMRI and behavior data suggest the mechanism is more complex than an increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants in particular seem to hinder dopamine reuptake in specific areas like the striatum, but not in other areas, such the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix between stimulants and nonstimulants reduced symptoms of ADHD in children who had moderate to severe cases. However, in some patients the combination didn't perform as well as a single drug. Most people don't need medication to deal with
adhd otc medication. Skills training and behavior therapy can help many people learn more effective strategies for coping.
Clinical trials have not confirmed that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both medications are chemically the same, which means they will both have the same effects on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also called Ritalin) is a stimulant of the central nervous system. It can enhance mood, focus and concentration when taken as prescribed. It is also effective in treating narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and ADD. However, like any substance that alters the brain, if misused or used in large amounts, overdose can occur. This can result in stroke, heart attack and coma as well as other serious medical problems. It is important to identify the signs of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical care.
A Ritalin Overdose can be caused in a variety of ways. For instance, a person could have a mishap and take too much medication because they forget to re-dose their medication. They may also consume other substances that could interact with the drug and increase its effects or they could be using it for recreational purposes and not know how to dose it correctly. In addition, long-term usage of Ritalin can lead to dependence and tolerance which can lead to addiction. In the end those with an history of abuse of stimulants or other drugs should use Ritalin under the supervision of a physician.
Anyone suffering from a Ritalin overdose should contact 911 immediately. They should be able provide the emergency personnel with details about their dosage, when they used it, and the other medications or substances they took. The emergency response team will determine the best course of action to do to treat the person. Typically, they pump the stomach, a process known as gastric lavage, which is used to remove any excess drug from the body before it can be taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical professionals. Fluids and antiseizure medications can be used to treat them. Activated charcoal may also be given to the patient in order to prevent the drug from circulating into the body. If they are feeling hot, the medical staff can cool them down by using fans and mists of water to prevent hyperthermia.
If you are prescribed Ritalin be sure to keep it in a secure area where children cannot get it. You can also ask your pharmacist for a take-back program. Do not keep any expired or unused medicine. Mix the medicine that is not used with ground coffee or cat litter and dispose of it.
