10 Quick Tips For ADHD Stimulant Medication
ADHD Stimulant Medication
Stimulant medications are the first-line treatment for ADHD. They have a long history of a robust response, high tolerance, and safety over the entire lifespan.
It is crucial to find the dosage and medication that can ease your child's or your own symptoms without causing adverse consequences. This may require a lot of trial and error as well as an open communication with your doctor.
Stimulants
Stimulants are medications that increase activity in the central nervous system. They are extensively used as performance enhancement and cognitive enhancers by athletes, students, artists, and workers. They also serve to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as narcolepsy, binge eating disorder, and other anxiety disorders. Amphetamines, methylphenidates, and other stimulant drugs are the most frequently used.
FDA-approved prescription stimulants are available in extended-release and immediate-release formulas. Immediate-release pills are usually taken every 4 hours. They can cause a sudden, short-term decrease in energy known as a crash when they wear off. The crash could cause extreme cravings, mood swings and fatigue. Immediate-release medication can also increase heart rate and blood pressure in certain people, particularly those who don't eat enough.
Extended-release medications are designed to release active ingredients over the course of 8-16 hours. Your doctor may recommend this kind of medication if you want lasting symptom control and do not need to take a pill multiple times a day. Methylphenidate products that fall into the extended-release category include Ritalin, Concerta, and Focalin. Daytrana is a methylphenidate with a long-acting product that sticks to your skin like a bandage and lasts the entire day. This type of medication is typically prescribed to adults with ADHD who need daily doses that last longer than the immediate-release alternatives.
Stimulant medication does not cure ADHD but it can assist 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 to be released, and assists in ensuring that messages between neurons are more efficiently sent and received.
In addition to stimulants, doctors can prescribe antidepressants to treat ADHD. Most antidepressants doctors prescribe for ADHD are based on the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors are a good choice for people suffering from anxiety or depression. These drugs are typically combined with stimulants to increase their effectiveness. Your doctor may change between stimulant and non-stimulant drug if your current medication isn't effective or causes an unacceptable side effects.
Long-acting
Stimulants aid in the treatment of 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. They help reduce symptoms such as fidgeting, over-talking, and losing focus in conversations or tasks. They can also improve social skills and job performance.
The stimulant drugs begin to work as soon as they cross the blood-brain barrier which can take anywhere between 45 and 60 minutes. They increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in brain cells, which decreases hyperactivity and impulsivity. The FDA-approved stimulant drugs contain two molecules: Methylphenidate (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, Concerta) and amphetamine (Ritalin, Adderall XR, Vyvanse XR). These stimulants can trigger negative side effects, such as nausea and loss of appetite. They can also cause increased blood pressure. They can also trigger headaches and anxiety. They can also make tics worse and may cause problems sleeping in some people.
Long-acting stimulants like Strattera or Wellbutrin, work day and night. Short-acting medicines are only effective for a few hours. They can be used to treat other conditions such as depression or anxiety.
These medicines work by altering how your body regulates monoamine oxidases. Monoamine oxidases break down dopamine in the brain and other neurotransmitters. If these chemicals aren't eliminated and remain in your body for a longer time and affect your thinking and behavior. Long-acting medications can have fewer adverse effects. Your doctor may prescribe it in smaller doses that you can take throughout the day.
Some stimulants are available in extended-release forms that you take daily. Some adults might prefer this method however, it is important to be sure to take your stimulants each day.
SSRIs and other medications have proven to be effective in treating ADHD in a variety of adults. These medications are usually prescribed for anxiety or depression but can be prescribed for ADHD. Around 70% of patients respond to these drugs. Bupropion, also referred to as Wellbutrin is an SSRI approved for ADHD. It was shown to be more effective in a controlled study than placebos. These medications can trigger serious adverse effects, including hearing ringing anxiety, and changes in vision, heart and lung function.
Short-acting
Stimulant medication reduces ADHD symptoms by increasing levels dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain. These are the two chemicals that aid people in focusing and control their behavior. They are available in numerous varieties, and each has its own brand name, such as Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin and Concerta. There are two major types of stimulant medicines amphetamines, methylphenidates, and methylphenidates. They all have similar effects, but their duration of action varies. The methylphenidates are less effective that can last for up to three hours, while the amphetamines are more long-lasting.
Some people can tolerate stimulant medication better than others, and your doctor may prescribe them. It is crucial to know all you can about the medication that you are taking, including the possible side effects, how often it should be taken and any specific warnings that must be followed. This will aid you and your doctor determine the best medication for you.
It is important to know that these medications may cause some negative side effects, including difficulty getting to sleep or losing appetite. If these occur consult your physician about altering the dosage or using different medications.
Adults with ADHD who don't respond well to stimulants may be treated with non-stimulant drugs, which take longer to start working but increase the capacity of an individual to pay attention and control impulses. These medications are available in combination or as a single dose.
Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera or Qelbree is the first. It works by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine in the prefrontal cortex which controls behavior. Guanfacine, also known as Intuniv is part of the class of drugs known as alpha-agonists. These drugs block the reuptake process and increasing the amount of brain chemicals in the bloodstream. Guanfacine was developed for high blood pressure but it also has been proven to aid people suffering from ADHD.
Combinations
There are a number of combinations of drugs used by those with ADHD. This includes stimulants paired with depressant drugs such as the guanfacine or clonidine. These drugs can be calming for the brain and help reduce symptoms like sleeplessness and aggressive behavior. They also help prevent withdrawal symptoms that can result from stimulants. However, this combination can be risky if utilized correctly. Serotonin Syndrome is a medical emergency that occurs when there is an excess of serotonin in the body. This combination can also increase the heart rate and blood pressure. Heart disease sufferers or those with high blood pressure are at greater risk of developing adverse effects from this medication.
Combinations of stimulants are more and more being used by teenagers and young adults. These are commonly called "legal highs" and are available in pharmacies. They are also available on the black market. These substances can be dangerous, especially if they are combined with alcohol or other substances. This is referred to as polydrug use, and can be extremely dangerous. Mixing drugs can result in unpredictably harmful effects, including increased heart rate, slowed breathing, paranoia, hallucinations, seizures and addiction.
A study concluded that combination therapy was more effective than monopharmacotherapy for treating ADHD. Combining medication for adhd increased adherence and allowed patients to achieve more relief from symptoms than monotherapy. However there were many patients who stopped their treatment due to side effects. In a few cases it was reported that the medication was withdrawn due to sleep issues or worsening tics. This could be a result of poor diagnosis or a lack of access to medications.
Nonstimulants can also be used to treat ADHD. They are effective in improving attention span and impulse regulation however they are not as effective as stimulants. They are also less likely to inhibit growth and affect appetite. Some antidepressants are also prescribed for ADHD, but they have a less chance of enhancing concentration and focus.
A number of studies have proven that atomoxetine and methylphenidate (Concerta) can be combined to produce better results than either on its own. Combining these two medications was proven to increase adherence and decrease adverse effects in the majority of people. The combination was also effective in young adults and adolescents. This combination could be a feasible alternative for children suffering from severe ADHD.