12 Statistics About ADHD Treatment Medication To Bring You Up To Speed The Water Cooler
12 Statistics About ADHD Treatment Medication To Bring You Up To Speed The Water Cooler
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ADHD Treatment Medication
Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD, and appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals. However, they cannot solve the problem and will only help with symptoms as long as they are used regularly.
The side effects of ADHD medications may include changes in blood pressure as well as heart rate, anxiety, and tics. Children and teens who are taking 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 drug to treat ADHD. It comes in a variety of forms, including a chewable tablet, a liquid and a long-acting disintegrating orally disintegrating tablet and an extended-release pill. The drug is effective by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which help to enhance concentration. It can also help to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Methylphenidate is a proven treatment for ADHD in combination with other treatments, like behavioural therapy.
Methylphenidate blocks the transporters that normally remove these neurotransmitters from the brain. The drug may cause an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. It can also cause rapid changes in blood sugar levels, which is why people with diabetes should be cautious when taking this medication. Talk to your doctor when you experience any of these symptoms. Methylphenidate may also trigger the condition known as Raynaud's phenomenon that causes numbness as well as discomfort in the toes and fingers. This is a rare but serious side effect. It is important to notify your doctor in the event that these symptoms develop.
Some people are concerned that methylphenidate can slow down children's growth. However it hasn't been proved. If you have a child receiving treatment with methylphenidate be sure to keep track of the height and weight closely. If your child is on chewable tablets containing methylphenidate, it contains phenylalanine, which is potentially dangerous for children suffering from the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). If you have PKU, consult your physician about other methylphenidate formulations.
Certain people have issues with stimulants which are the most popular treatment for ADHD. In these cases doctors may prescribe another medication that performs similarly. There are other stimulants like dexamfetamine or lisdexamfetamine, besides the methylphenidate. These drugs can last longer and are more potent than methylphenidate. They are typically taken twice to three times a day, but some people can take them more often. There are also psychological treatments for ADHD however they are less effective than stimulants.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also known under the brand name Strattera, is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It belongs to a class called selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. It works by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, two chemical messengers which control brain's activity. It is a popular choice for children and adults who prefer a different type of medication than stimulants, like Adderall and Vyvanse.
It is crucial to keep in mind that atomoxetine does not work instantly, and it can take up to 6 weeks for the effects of the drug to be apparent. There is also the possibility of experiencing adverse effects like drowsiness and nausea. For the majority of patients, the benefits of taking atomoxetine outweigh any risk.
The efficacy of atomoxetine has been confirmed in a multisite double-blind placebo-controlled trial with 297 ADHD patients ages 12 to 18. Participants were randomly assigned to receive atomoxetine at a daily dose of 0.6 mg per kilogram or 1.2 mg/kg or a placebo for 9 weeks. Both the atomoxetine group and the placebo group experienced a reduction in symptoms of depression. The atomoxetine treatment group had more improvement in ADHD symptoms compared to the placebo group. However the improvement was not as dramatic (Michelson and co. 2001).
In a separate open study, 10 patients with ADHD who failed to respond to stimulants were treated with atomoxetine for 8 weeks. The atomoxetine treatment group showed improvement in ADHD symptoms when compared to placebo with scores on Conners Adult ADHD Scale Investigator Screening version rated and the Clinical Global Impression of Severity scales gaining significant. One patient however, experienced a rash and withdrew from the study. Three patients also reported temporary gastrointestinal symptoms, and one patient noticed an more info increase in fatigue.
Before you begin treatment with atomoxetine, talk to your doctor about your medical history as well as any other medications or supplements that you are taking. This includes herbal remedies as well as other over-the-counter medicines. It is crucial to inform your doctor if you suffer from narrow-angle glaucoma, thyroid tumor or adrenal gland tumor and high blood pressure heart disease or an unusually sudden death. You should stay clear of atomoxetine as well when you've been taking an MAO-inhibitor, such isocarboxazid or linezolid in the last 14 days, or rasagiline, Methylene Blue Injection, phenelzine or tranylcypromine.
Bupropion
Bupropion, a non-stimulant drug can help improve ADHD symptoms. It also helps to reduce impulsivity and increase concentration, but it doesn't affect the brain in the same way that stimulants do. Only prescriptions are approved. Your doctor will determine the right dosage for you. Bupropion is available in capsules and tablets. It is essential to take the medication exactly as directed. You might experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop abruptly.
It's typically taken two or three times per day with a 4-6 hour interval between each dose. The dosage can range from 100 mg twice or three times per day to 150 mg daily, three or four times. The drug is taken up by the digestive system and excreted in urine. It is not able to enter breast milk. However, it is able to be absorbed into the bloodstream and affect other organs. Bupropion may increase blood pressure, which is why it's important to check it often.
In addition to reducing the symptoms of ADHD Bupropion can also reduce depression. It is also used to treat bipolar disorder. It is accomplished by blocking dopamine receptors in your brain. This blocks the neurotransmitter, dopamine, from entering your brain. This helps stabilize your mood.
Bupropion can interact with other medications So it's crucial to inform your doctor of any other medications you're taking. It's important to let your doctor know if suffer from any allergies. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants since they can cause side effects to become worse.
In a variety of studies, bupropion was compared to placebos for adults suffering from ADHD. The results of these studies were mixed and the majority of them were not conducted properly. Many of these studies did not include people with psychiatric disorders co-morbidity. The research suggests that bupropion has 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 includes a better knowledge of the connection between molecular pathways. Moreover, it's critical to understand how different anti-ADHD agents work in combination with psychotherapy.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Antidepressants can be prescribed by doctors when stimulants prescribed for children suffering from ADHD are not effective or cause adverse side effects. These drugs, like imipramine and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor) are able to increase the neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine in the brain, which aids in helping people concentrate. These are old drugs that may have a number of adverse effects, so they're typically only considered after other medications have failed.
The first option for depression-related antidepressants is typically a serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine, sertraline, or citalopram. Tricyclic antidepressants are still used in some cases despite their long-standing history. They are effective in treating neuropathic pain and other conditions, but their antidepressant effect is not the same. They potentiate the noradrenephrine receptor by blocking its reuptake, and they also act as descending moderators for pain pathways in the spinal cord.
SSRIs are less harmful and have less side effects than tricyclic antidepressants. In addition, they're safer in pregnancy and do not appear to cause teratogenicity in humans or animals. If suddenly stopped, they could cause significant withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor might suggest gradually reducing the dose over a few weeks to lessen the negative effects.
Bupropion, a popular antidepressant that is prescribed off-label for treating ADHD but isn't FDA approved as an adhd drug. It is believed to increase the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and acetylcholine in the brain, which improves concentration. It is also believed to ease anxiety, and it can be utilized in conjunction with stimulants to achieve more rapid and sustained results.
While there are no other FDA-approved nonstimulant drugs for ADHD, many people do get relief from the use of dietary supplements and herbs. A diet low in sugar and fat can also help to reduce ADHD symptoms. Also, avoiding caffeine may be beneficial for certain people. Inform your doctor about all medications you or your child are taking such as herbal remedies and over-the-counter medicines. This will prevent interactions and reduce unwanted adverse effects. ADHD medication can affect each person differently, which is why it's often a process of trial and error to find the right drug and dosage for you or your child.