5 Medication For ADHD Lessons Learned From Professionals
Choosing the Right Medication For ADHD
The use of medication can help control ADHD symptoms, but they isn't a cure for it. It can take time to find the right dosage and medication for you or your child. Honest and open communication with your doctor is essential.
Stimulants
These medications are the initial treatment for adults and kids with ADHD. They increase the levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain.
Stimulants
does adhd medication work prescribed by healthcare professionals to treat ADHD is stimulants. These drugs increase levels of chemical (neurotransmitters) in the brain that affect focus, attention and movement. About 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD notice improvement in their symptoms after finding the right stimulant drug and dose.
As a first-line treatment doctors usually prescribe methylphenidates to kids and teens who have ADHD. They also may prescribe amphetamines that are more effective for adults and cause fewer side effects. The stimulants affect two brain chemicals: norepinephrine and dopamine. Heart patients should be closely monitored while taking stimulants.
The majority of children and adults who take stimulants will experience adverse effects. Most of the time, these adverse effects will subside within a few days or weeks. If they don't, talk to your doctor about changing the medication or locating an alternative that is better for you or your child.
The most commonly reported stimulant-related side effects are weight loss, difficulty sleeping, and having trouble staying awake. Some people develop personality changes. They may become more withdrawn, listless or rigid or display obsessive-compulsive behavior. Some may experience an increase in anxiety or depression, which is the reason it is essential to speak with an expert in mental health before starting stimulant medications for ADHD.
Stimulants raise blood pressure and heart rate, which can cause some people feel shaky or anxious. They can also trigger stomachaches, headaches and loss of appetite. They also increase the likelihood of addiction. In small doses stimulants prescribed to treat ADHD aren't habit-forming. However, they can be addictive if they are misused or used in large doses.
Non-stimulant medications take longer to start working and don't last as long as stimulants, however they can increase focus and attention, and also reduce the impulsivity. These medications are mostly built on antidepressants, and they work on norepinephrine, a brain chemical. They can be prescribed as a stand-alone medication or as a combination with stimulants, especially when someone is suffering from anxiety and depression in addition to ADHD.
Studies of academic performance among students with ADHD who are treated with medication have found that they can attain GPAs that are comparable to their peers if they adhere to good study habits. In fact, a recent study showed that, in a group of more than 90 college students suffering from ADHD students who used medication to manage their symptoms improved their grades by an average of a letter grade.
The majority of ADHD medications fall into two drug classes - methylphenidates or amphetamines. Amphetamines have a higher potential for abuse and dependence than methylphenidates. However, the more modern longer-acting atomoxetine and bupropion (Wellbutrin) have lower risks of misuse and dependence. Some people take an anti-depressant that acts long every day with an immediate release dose in the mid to late afternoon, to minimize ups and downs in their concentration. Other medications for ADHD that aren't classified as either methylphenidates or amphetamines include desmethyldimethylphenidate (Dexamethylpropion) and guanfacine (Narcan). The following chart shows the class of medication, brand name, generic name and length of action.