Watch Out: What Best Medication For ADHD Is Taking Over And How To Stop It
Watch Out: What Best Medication For ADHD Is Taking Over And How To Stop It
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Best Medication For ADHD
Teenagers and children who take ADHD medication tend to focus better, be less impulsive, and are more relaxed. They also get on with schoolwork. Some individuals may experience a slight slowing of their growth or a rise in heart rate or bloodpressure while taking these medications.
The medications are available in a variety of forms including tablets, capsules liquid, patches and pills (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most common stimulant. It is available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release dextroamphetamine and extended-release amphetamine salts.
Stimulants
Stimulants are a class of drugs that can be effective in treating ADHD. These drugs improve focus and attention by affecting neurotransmitters, particularly norepinephrine as well as dopamine. These are the chemicals that regulate the brain's pre-frontal cortex region that is often called the brain's "secretary" because it helps with organizing and planning skills.
Stimulants come in short- and long-acting doses. The short-acting medicines peak within 30 to 45 minutes, and need to be taken two or three times per throughout the day. Amphetamines like Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin, are among these. Amphetamines are stronger and last longer, but they both function in similar ways to improve concentration and attention. Certain stimulant medications are available in extended-release formulations. These can be a better option because they last up to 12 hours, and are usually taken once per day. Some of these medications are powders that you mix with liquids to make drinks, while others are pills.
Finding the right medication can take some time. Your doctor will be able to monitor your response to different types of medications here and adjust the dosage if necessary. The use of medications should be part of a complete treatment plan that includes behavioral therapy and support.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications can take a bit longer to start working, but can help you feel more in control and improve your ability to concentrate, impulsivity and focus. These drugs don't affect dopamine or norepinephrine in the as stimulants do, and therefore are safer to use for a longer period of time. These medications can also have less adverse effects, such as heartburn, constipation and a decreased sexual drive. The first medication to be approved by the FDA to treat ADHD is called Strattera which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Your doctor could prescribe guanfacine. It is also known as Intuniv or clonidine, which are both medicines within this category.
There are also antidepressants that are not stimulant that are prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. These antidepressants with tricyclic chemistry, such as Tofranil(imipramine), are used to treat ADHD. These drugs are only prescribed by doctors if stimulants or other non-stimulants do not work or if they have too many adverse effects.
Your doctor can also prescribe the atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medicines don't have an immediate effect however they can reduce the impulsivity of people and increase concentration over time. These medications belong to a different class of drugs compared to other ones and may cause adverse effects such as shaky hands or headache. Your doctor might also suggest a low-dose antidepressant, bupropion (Wellbutrin) which is not FDA approved for ADHD treatment but can increase concentration and reduce the impulsivity. It may cause some uncomfortable, but generally not serious adverse effects, like hearing ringing, or changes in vision.