11 Ways To Completely Redesign Your ADHD Medication Ritalin
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medicine used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADHD). It improves the way parts of the brain communicate, which can reduce ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can trigger side effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, most of these are mild and disappear on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which are vital neurotransmitters that are responsible for regulating motivation, action, and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used since decades. It is considered to be safe when used in the dosages recommended under the supervision of your doctor.
However, there have been reports of addiction and abuse when the drug is used at therapeutic doses. Physicians must determine the risk for each patient and monitor symptoms throughout the treatment. It is crucial to inform patients as well as their family members of the dangers of unused medications and the need to appropriately dispose of them. It is best to utilize a locked medicine container that will stop children from taking unneeded medication. It is also an excellent idea to inform patients not to share the medication with anyone.
This medication may cause suicidal thoughts or actions especially in those who are bipolar, depressed or have an history of mental illness. Discuss with your doctor right immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure which could lead to strokes or heart problems. If you experience chest pain, a fast heartbeat, or excessive sweating, consult your physician immediately. Inform your doctor if there is an ancestor with a history of heart disease, sudden death, or if you've ever had a stroke or bleeding problems. This medication could affect blood circulation and cause numbness or pain in your fingers or toes. It can also make it difficult to fall asleep.
It isn't known whether the brand-name version is more effective than its generic counterpart. Many doctors still prefer the brand name medication because of its security and effectiveness. This medication is susceptible to abuse and should not be prescribed to anyone who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some claim that this medication is more effective than others. However this is only anecdotal evidence, and has not yet been scientifically proven. Some parents report that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate versus name-brand, but this may not be the case for all children.
Side effects
When you begin medication to treat ADHD it takes some time to determine the appropriate dosage. A healthcare provider will monitor your or your child's bodily reactions and adjust until they find the most effective dosage. These medicines are powerful and can cause side effects, ranging from irritability to sleep disorders to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nerve system stimulant that has methylphenidate, the active ingredient. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. adhd for adults medication improves your concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin may cause serious heart problems, including stroke and sudden death, in those with certain medical conditions, such as heart rhythm disorders as well as high blood pressure and an underlying heart attack or cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications, Ritalin can result in a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It may also raise your your child's pulse rate and blood pressure little. This could be a concern if you have a preexisting heart condition or other heart issues, so your doctor will keep close check on your heart rate and blood pressure.
Other side effects include changes in mood, like depression and anxiety. They can also impact behavior, which can be especially difficult for children who are just starting to take the drug. In some cases it can cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm), which are repetitive sounds or movements, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow growth in children and adolescents. It is usually temporary and does not affect their final height.
The medication is available in a variety of forms, but only on prescription. It could be a tablet that is swallowed, chewed or dissolving in a capsule open and sprinkled onto food items or a liquid. Some people make use of an ingredient that acts quickly and lasts between three and six hours. Others prefer it to be long-term which requires more dose.
This medication can interact with other medications, such as antidepressants or monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication may also increase the chance of developing angle closure glaucoma, a potentially deadly adverse effect.
Interactions
Many medications are able to interact with other medications or substances, which may alter their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful or even fatal. Tell your doctor what other medications you and your child is taking, such as supplements and vitamins, as well as prescription medications. Ritalin can interact with other antidepressants. This is particularly true for those that contain monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. This could cause serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended by people who have circulatory issues such as Raynaud's phenomena or high blood pressure. It can also cause the onset of Tourette syndrome or tics in people who have these conditions.
Some fMRI research has found that an acute dose methylphenidate given to medication responders during stop-and-time discrimination tasks increased the activity of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial cingulate cortex (MCC), anterior cingulate (ACC) and striatum. These changes were also accompanied by normalization of the underactivation in the same regions during placebo and off medication conditions.
These results support the hypothesis that methylphenidate exerts its effects on behavior by increasing the amount of dopamine in the extracellular space and norepinephrine levels, which enhance performance in stop and time discrimination tasks. However, additional fMRI and behavioral data suggest that the mechanism is more complex than the increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Particularly, psychostimulants are believed to hinder the reuptake process of dopamine in certain areas, like the striatum, but not others, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased ADHD-like symptoms in children who had moderate to severe cases. However, in a few patients, the combination did not perform as well as the single drug. Most people don't require medication to cope with ADHD. Training in skills and behavior therapy can assist many people in learning more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
Clinical trials have not confirmed that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both drugs are chemically the same, so they should both have the same effects on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate is also known as Ritalin, is a stimulant for the central nervous system that improves focus, concentration and mood when used as prescribed. It is also effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. Overdose is a possibility with any substance that alters brain function. This can result in stroke, heart attack or coma, as well as other serious medical problems. Being aware of symptoms of an Ritalin overdose is critical for the prevention of these symptoms and taking the necessary steps to seek medical assistance.
A Ritalin overdose can result from a variety of causes. A person may consume too many pills since they forgot to take a dose retake. Other substances may interact with the drug, causing its effects, or they may be using it for recreational purposes, without knowing how to dose it. Furthermore, long-term use of Ritalin could lead to addiction and psychological dependence that could lead to addiction. Therefore those with a history of abusing stimulants or other drugs should only use Ritalin under the supervision of a doctor.
Patients suffering from a Ritalin overdose should call 911 immediately. First responders should be aware of the dose, the time it was taken, and if they have taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will determine the best course of action to do to treat the person. Typically, they pump the stomach, a process known as gastric lavage, which is used to remove any excess drugs from the body before it can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures, and anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should be monitored by a medical professional. Antiseizure and fluids are a way to treat them. Activated charcoal can also be given to the patient in order to prevent the drug from circulating into their body. The hospital staff can cool the patient with fans or mists cool water if they feel hot.
If you're given Ritalin be sure to keep it in a secure location where children cannot reach it. Ask your pharmacist if they have a drug-return program. Don't keep any expired or unusable medicine. Instead, mix the unneeded medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and throw it away.