ADHD Medication and Over the Counter ADHD Medication
There are a variety of prescription ADHD medications available that can help improve focus, attention and impulsivity. Most fall under the amphetamine or methylphenidate drug classes. Adderall Ritalin, and Vyvanse are some of the most common. They can cause adverse effects, such as sleepiness and appetite loss.
Strattera (atomoxetine) is an anti-stimulant drug that can be helpful. It works by increasing norepinephrine, a brain chemical. A healthy diet, exercise and enough sleep are also important.
1. Methylphenidate
Ritalin (also also known as Methylphenidate) is one of the most frequently prescribed medications to treat ADHD in children and adolescents. The stimulant medication boosts the activity of brain regions that are involved in attention. It has been used for more than 50 years and numerous studies have proven it to be effective.
Methylphenidate is a drug that blocks the neurotransmitters involved in reuptake, norepinephrine as dopamine, which increase the concentration of these neurotransmitters in neural synapses. It is a racemic mixture with the d-isomer more pharmacologically active. Methylphenidate is available in tablet, capsule extended release (ER) and orally disintegrating form. It is a Schedule II controlled substance with the potential for abuse and addiction.
Research has shown that methylphenidate boosts hyperactivity, hyperactivity and inattention among children suffering from ADHD. However, methylphenidate can cause some negative side effects, like eating disorders and trouble sleeping. These side effects are not generally serious, but they can be difficult for parents to deal with.
Fortunately, most of these adverse effects will diminish as time passes. It is important to note that methylphenidate may increase blood pressure or heart rate in a few people. This is the reason why methylphenidate is listed as a Schedule II controlled drug. It is not recommended to take methylphenidate during pregnancy as it could harm the unborn child and long-term developmental effects on the breastfed infant.
Methylphenidate is typically taken in the morning. It is best taken with an empty stomach, so it is recommended to avoid eating and drinks that will interfere with its absorption. For extended-release tablets and capsules, look up the leaflet to find instructions on how to swallow the tablets whole or open them up and mix the contents with some soft food like honey or yogurt, and then swallow.
2. Ritalin
Methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin is a centrally nervous system stimulant. It affects the chemical and nerves in the brain, which cause attention deficit disorder (ADD), hyperactivity and a lack of impulse control. Ritalin is approved by the FDA to treat ADHD and the narcolepsy of children and adults who are 6 years old and older. It can also be used off-label to treat a variety of other ailments that include major depressive disorder as well as terminal cancer.
The most frequently prescribed medication prescribed by healthcare professionals to treat ADHD is stimulants. They work by increasing levels of certain brain chemicals known as dopamine and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters improve concentration and increase motivation. They also play a role in the fight-or-flight response. If used correctly stimulants can greatly reduce symptoms of ADHD.
As with all medications methylphenidate could cause adverse side effects. The most commonly reported are loss of appetite and trouble sleeping. Some people also experience jitteriness, mood swings, stomachaches and headaches. These effects typically go away within a few days.
Ritalin is a drug that can be used to stimulate the mind even when it's prescribed for ADHD. The most likely cause of abuse is when people take more than the prescribed dosage or combine the drug along with other stimulants. It is risky to mix it with alcohol or other substances. The abuse can also involve crushing or dissolving tablets to form powder, which is then snorted. It is possible to overdose on Ritalin.
The FDA has approved a few non-stimulant ADHD drugs. They are primarily norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. These medications do not treat the primary symptoms of ADHD but they can be useful when paired with stimulants to lessen the effects of their side effects. Medications like these are often effective when accompanied by therapy for behavior.
3. I Am Psychiatry is the brand name for Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, an amphetamine that enhances focus and attention in ADHD patients. It also helps to reduce the effects of eating too much that are associated with eating disorders that cause binge eating (BED). Vyvanse affects specific brain pathways to boost the levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine. It is prescribed as part of an overall treatment program for ADHD and BED. Like other stimulant drugs, Vyvanse may cause side effects such as anxiety, jitteriness, and anxiety. These effects typically decrease over time as your body becomes accustomed to the medication. Consult your doctor if you experience any problems.
To ensure that you receive the best care, it's important to attend regular appointments with your physician. They will be able monitor your improvement and make any necessary changes to your medication regimen. They might also suggest alternative treatments to help reduce the symptoms of ADHD. These options include herbal supplements, diet changes, and cognitive enhancement supplements. However, some herbal supplements and dietary supplements are not backed by scientific research to prove their effectiveness as ADHD treatments. This includes pycnogenol (an extract from maritime pine bark).
Other commonly used stimulant medications to treat ADHD include methylphenidate-based forms and dextroamphetamine, such as Ritalin and Adderall. Additionally, these medications are available in extended-release versions to provide more constant control of symptoms throughout the day. It is also possible for your physician to prescribe different types of stimulant drugs, like atomoxetine or guanfacine. These nootropics have been proven to boost memory and clarity. These are not meant to replace prescription ADHD medications.
4. Focalin
Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) is a stimulant medication that is used to treat ADHD in adolescents and children as well as adults. It is usually taken in the morning, with or without food, at the same time throughout the day to increase the effectiveness of the drug. Depending on the dosage prescribed it is taken as an immediate-release or extended-release drug. Focalin, a stimulant made by humans, is similar to methylphenidate. However it is less prone to side-effects. It is not contaminated with harmful methylphenidate metabolites, as do some other medications. Focalin works by increasing the availability of two monoamines within the brain, norepinephrine and dopamine, by promoting their release from neurons and preventing their reuptake. This reduces the symptoms of ADHD like hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention.
It's crucial to discuss with your healthcare professional what ADHD medications are helping you or helping your child. It's not uncommon for doctors to try various doses and medications to find the one that is appropriate for each patient. They can also prescribe non-stimulant medication to increase attention span and impulsive behavior.
Always follow the instructions of your doctor and not share your Focalin XR prescription with anyone else, not even someone else who suffers from ADHD. This can lead to grave and possibly fatal interactions with drugs. Focalin XR is not recommended for women who are nursing or pregnant, as animal studies have shown that it can harm the fetus. Focalin XR can cause adverse effects that are more severe when you are taking alcohol, sedatives, or other illegal substances.
5. Intuniv
Guanfacine is the primary active ingredient in Intuniv, is an alpha 2adrenergic receptor agonist that has been proven to alleviate ADHD symptoms by acting on the prefrontal cortex. This can help control impulsivity and attention. It also addresses other impairments associated with ADHD like emotional sensitization, rejection sensitivity and hyperarousal by reducing levels of adrenaline to a normal. Intuniv is not a stimulant, so it does not have the same negative effects as stimulants like Adderall. However, guanfacine has certain serious risks, including a slow heart rate, blood pressure that is low, and the effects of sedation. In addition, people who have depression or an addiction history may not be good candidates for this medication.
While stimulants are effective in treating ADHD symptoms however, they can trigger dependence and adverse effects. Intuniv is a non-stimulant drug that, takes longer to work. However it is less likely to have harmful side effects. Talk to your doctor to decide which type of treatment is best for you.
Intuniv has FDA approval to treat children aged six to seventeen years. However it hasn't yet been tested on adults or people older than these age groups. It is not a controlled substance and therefore, there is no chance of abuse or dependence. However, guanfacine could be addictive and should be used under the care of a nurse or doctor practitioner.
Intuniv is required to be administered frequently at the same time to keep an even amount in the bloodstream. It must be crushed in a plastic bag, or folded paper, between two spoons. Then it can be mixed with a small quantity of soft food such as chocolate syrup or applesauce. Then, the entire amount must be swallowed by the child in order to stop it from being thrown out.