A Provocative Rant About ADHD Medication Ritalin
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant drug used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It improves the way the parts of the brain communicate, thereby reducing ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can trigger side effects, such as sleepiness and a lack of appetite. The majority of these side effects are mild and will fade on their o own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are key neurotransmitters partially responsible for regulating motivation as well as action and cognition. It is a psychostimulant and has been used for decades. It is considered to be safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the guidance of your doctor.
However there are reports of misuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic dosage levels. Therefore, doctors should examine each patient for risk and monitor these symptoms throughout treatment. It is also essential to educate the patient and their family members on this risk of harm and the need for proper disposal of any unneeded medication. Utilizing a locked medicine cabinet is a good idea, since it will stop children from accessing and consuming doses that are not used. It is also a good idea to advise patients not to share this medication with anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts, or actions especially in those who are bipolar, depressed or have an history of mental illness. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. This medication may also cause an increase in blood pressure that can cause strokes or heart problems. Get your doctor's attention immediately in case you are experiencing a high heart rate, chest pain, or sweating. Also tell your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have previously suffered any type of bleeding or stroke. This medication can cause numbness and pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make sleep difficult.
It is not known whether the brand-name version of the product is more effective than its generic counterpart. Many doctors still prefer the brand name medication because of its safety and effectiveness. The medication is a risk for abuse, and should not be prescribed to anyone who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people have reported that this medication is more effective than others, however this is purely anecdotal and hasn't been proved scientifically. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to name-brand versus generic methylphenidate. However, this is not necessarily true for all children.
Side effects
When starting medications to treat ADHD, it takes some time to find the proper dose. A healthcare professional will observe the body reactions of your child or yourself and make adjustments in order to find the best medication. These powerful medications can cause adverse reactions that range from sleep issues, irritability and even severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate and is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, which are chemicals that aid in control and attention. It also increases concentration and reduces restlessness as well as hyperactivity. Ritalin can trigger serious heart problems, including stroke and sudden deaths in people with certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disorders and high blood pressure as well as the possibility of cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications, Ritalin can cause a decreased appetite and weight loss. It can also increase your or your child's pulse rate and blood pressure slightly. This could be a problem in the event of a preexisting heart condition or have heart problems and your doctor will keep a close watch over your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include changes to mood, including anxiety and depression. These effects can affect the behavior of children, which is particularly difficult for children who are still young. In certain instances, it may cause symptoms such as tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which is repetitive movements and sounds such as eye blinking or throat clearing. It can also slow growth in adolescents and children. However, this is usually temporary and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
There are many types of this medication, which are available by prescription only. It can be a tablet swallowed, chewed or dissolved or a capsule that is open and sprinkled onto food or a liquid. Some people choose to use a formula that is short-acting and lasts between three and six hours. Others take it long-term which requires an increased dose.
This medication can interact with certain other drugs, such as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It may also increase your your child's risk of developing a potentially fatal side effect, such as angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications are able to interact with other drugs and substances, which could alter their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful and even fatal. Discuss with your doctor the other medications you or your child is taking, such as vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, particularly those that contain monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs).
medication for add in adults increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This can lead to serious side effects, such as suicidal ideas or actions, seizures, and hallucinations. Ritalin should not be taken by people who have circulatory issues like Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It can also worsen symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in those who have these conditions.
Some fMRI studies have found that an acute dose of methylphenidate in medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks enhanced activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and the striatum. These changes were accompanied with normalization of the underactivation in the same regions under placebo and off medication conditions.
These results support the notion that methylphenidate causes its effect on behavior through the increase of extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine, both of which enhance performance in stop and time discrimination tasks. However, other research on fMRI and behavior suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine in specific areas, like the striatum, but not other areas, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination of stimulants and nonstimulants helped reduce symptoms of ADHD in children with moderate to severe cases. In some patients the combination did not work as well as one drug. Most people don't require medication to cope with ADHD. Skills training and behavior therapy can assist many people in learning more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
Clinical trials haven't proved that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both medications are chemically identical, and they are likely to have the same effect on a majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It can improve mood, focus, and concentration when prescribed. It has also been shown to be effective in treating ADD/ADHD and Narcolepsy. Overdose is a possibility with any substance that alters brain function. This can lead to stroke, heart attack, coma, and other serious medical problems. Being aware of the signs of an Ritalin overdose is critical for preventing these symptoms and taking the appropriate step to seek medical attention.
A Ritalin overdose can result from a variety of causes. For example, someone may have a mishap and take too much medication due to the fact that they don't remember to re-dose their medication. They may also consume other substances that could interact with the drug and increase its effect, or they might be taking it for recreational purposes and not know how to properly dose it. Additionally, long-term use of Ritalin could lead to tolerance and psychological dependence that can cause addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those with an addiction history.
Anyone suffering from a Ritalin overdose should contact 911 immediately. They should be able provide the emergency personnel with specific details regarding the dosage, the time they were taking it, as well as any other medications or substances they consumed. The emergency response team will then be able to decide on the best way to treat the patient. Typically, they pump the stomach, which is known as gastric lavage, to eliminate any excess drug from the body before it can be taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures. People who experience these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical professionals. They can be treated with fluids and anti-seizure medication. In addition, the patient may be given activated charcoal to stop any more of the drug from circulating in the body. If they are feeling hot, the hospital staff can cool them down with fans and mists of water to prevent hyperthermia.
If you're given Ritalin, make sure to store it in a safe area where children cannot get it. You may also ask your pharmacist about a drug take-back program. Lastly, do not keep any expired or unusable medication. Mix the unused medicine with ground coffee or cat litter and dispose of it.