ADHD Stimulant Medication
Stimulant medication is the initial line treatment for ADHD. They have a long history of a robust response, a high tolerance and safety across the life span.
It's important to find the right dosage and medication that will relieve your child's or your own symptoms without causing adverse effects. It usually takes many trials and error, as well as regular dialog with your doctor.
Stimulants
Stimulants are substances that boost activity in the central nervous system. They are frequently used for stimulants for cognitive enhancement and performance by athletes, students artists, workers, and students. They are also used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as narcolepsy, binge eating disorder, and some anxiety disorders. The most commonly used stimulant medications are methylphenidates and amphetamines.
FDA-approved prescription stimulants come in both prolonged-release and immediate-release formulations. The immediate-release medication is usually taken every four hours, as required. They can trigger an abrupt, short-term drop in energy called a crash when they have worn off. The crash can cause severe hunger, mood swings, and fatigue. Immediate-release medications can also raise blood pressure and heartbeats in certain people. This is especially true when they don't consume enough food.
Extended-release drugs are designed to release active ingredients over a time of between 8 and 16 hours. This type of medication can be prescribed by a doctor when you're looking for long-lasting control of symptoms without having to take tablets several times per day. Methylphenidate products that fall into the extended-release category include Ritalin, Concerta, and Focalin. Daytrana is a long-acting methylphenidate product that sticks to your skin like a bandage, and lasts throughout the day. This kind of medicine can be prescribed to adults who have ADHD and require a daily dosage that lasts longer than immediate-release alternatives.
Stimulant medication does not cure ADHD but it can help manage the symptoms by enhancing how neurons in the brain communicate. By blocking or binding their receptors they can alter the levels of neurotransmitters, like norepinephrine and dopamine, in the brain. This allows more neurotransmitters be released, and it assists in ensuring that messages between neurons are more effectively sent and received.
Doctors may prescribe antidepressants in addition to stimulants to treat ADHD. adhd medication adults of antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD are based on the norepinephrine and dopamine levels in your brain. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors are an excellent choice for people suffering from depression or anxiety. These medications are usually mixed with stimulants to increase their effectiveness. Your doctor could switch between stimulant and a non-stimulant medication if your current medication isn't effective or causes an unacceptable side effects.
Long-acting
About 70 to 80% children and adults with ADHD benefit from stimulants. They reduce symptoms like the tendency to fidget and talk over others. They also help improve social skills and job performance.
The stimulant medication begins to work when it crosses the blood-brain barrier, which takes 45-60 minutes. They increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in brain cells, which reduces the impulsivity and hyperactivity. The FDA-approved stimulant medication consists of one of two molecules, methylphenidate, (Adderall Ritalin Vyvanse Concerta) or amphetamine (Ritalin Adderall XR Vyvanse Vyvanse). These stimulants can cause adverse effects such as stomach upset, weight loss, an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, headaches, and nervousness or anxiety. They can also make tics more severe, and they may cause sleep issues in certain people.
Long-acting stimulants (such as Strattera and Wellbutrin) are effective throughout the day and night unlike the short-acting drugs that last just several hours. They can be employed to treat other conditions like anxiety or depression.
The medications affect the way your body regulates chemicals called monoamine oxidases. Monoamine oxidases break down dopamine inside the brain and other neurotransmitters. If these chemicals aren't eliminated, they stay in your body longer and can affect your behavior and mental state. Long-acting drugs can have lesser adverse effects, and your doctor may prescribe smaller doses of the drugs that you can take throughout the day.
Certain stimulants are available in extended-release form that you can take once daily. This can be more convenient for some adults, however it's important to remember to take them every day.
Other medications have been proven to be effective for many people suffering from ADHD, including selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications are usually prescribed for depression or anxiety but can be prescribed for ADHD. Around 70% of people react to these medications. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is a different SSRI that has been approved for ADHD and has been proven to be more effective than placebos in one controlled study. These medications can trigger serious side effects, like the ringing of ears, anxiety and changes in heart, vision and lung function.
Short-acting
The stimulant medication helps reduce ADHD symptoms by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain. These are two chemicals that aid people in focusing and control their behavior. They come in a variety of different forms and each one comes with its own distinct brand, like Adderall Vyvanse Ritalin Concerta. There are two primary kinds of stimulant drugs, methylphenidates and amphetamines. All have similar effects, however they differ in the duration of their effect. The methylphenidates can have a shorter-lasting effect lasting for up to three hours. Amphetamines on the other hand have a longer-lasting effect.
Some people can tolerate stimulant medication better than others, so your doctor might prescribe them. It is essential to know everything you can about the medication that you are taking, including the potential side effects, how often it should be taken and any specific warnings that must be heeded. This will help you and your physician determine the best medication for you.
These medications can also trigger some negative side effects like insomnia or a loss of appetite. If these occur you should talk to your doctor about altering the dosage or using other medications.
Adults with ADHD who don't respond well to the stimulants might be treated with non-stimulant drugs, which take longer to begin working but improve a person's ability to pay attention and control impulses. These medications are available either alone or in combination.
The first is atomoxetine (brand names Strattera and Qelbree), which increases norepinephrine as well as dopamine in the prefrontal brain, which controls the behavior. Guanfacine, also known as Intuniv, belongs to the class of drugs known as alpha-agonists. They block the absorption of these brain chemicals and increasing their levels in the bloodstream. Guanfacine was developed for high blood pressure but has also been shown to aid people suffering from ADHD.
Combinations
There are a variety of combinations of drugs used by those with ADHD. This includes stimulants that are depressant-type drugs such as the guanfacine and clonidine. These drugs may influence a calming effect on the brain, and can reduce symptoms such as sleeplessness and aggressive behaviour. They can also prevent the withdrawal symptoms from stimulants. This combination could be risky but only should it not be used correctly. Combining two stimulants at the simultaneously increases the risk of developing serotonin-related syndrome, an emergency drug that occurs when the body has too excessive serotonin. This combination can also raise the blood pressure and heart rate. Heart disease sufferers or those with high blood pressure are at greater risk of developing side effects from this medication.
Teenagers and young adults are increasingly using stimulant combinations. These drugs are often referred to as "legal highs" and are available in pharmacies. They are also available on the black market. These substances can be dangerous particularly when combined with alcohol or other substances. This is known as polydrug use, and can be very dangerous. Mixing drugs can cause unpredictability and negative consequences. These include increased heart rate, slowed breathing, hallucinations and paranoia.
Combination therapy is more effective than monopharmacotherapy when it comes to treating ADHD, according to an investigation. Combining medications increased adherence and enabled patients to experience more relief from symptoms than monotherapy. However there were many patients who stopped their treatment due to side effects. In some cases, the medication was discontinued because of sleep problems or worsening tics. This could be the result of poor diagnosis or a inaccessibility to medications.
Nonstimulants are a different treatment option for ADHD. These medications enhance attention span and impulse control However, they don't perform as effectively as stimulants. They are also less likely to inhibit growth and affect appetite. Some antidepressants can also be prescribed for ADHD. However, they have a smaller chance of improving focus and concentration.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that atomoxetine and methylphenidate (Concerta) can be combined to produce better results than either by itself. The combination of the two drugs was shown to increase adherence and decrease adverse effects in the majority of people. The combination was also successful in young adults and adolescents. This combination could be a feasible option for children with severe ADHD.