How To Explain ADHD Medication Ritalin To A Five-Year-Old
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medicine used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADHD). It helps improve brain communication, which reduces ADHD.
ADHD medications can cause side effects such as a reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, most of these are mild and disappear by themselves or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which are vital neurotransmitters responsible for controlling motivation, action, and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used for decades. It is considered to be safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the supervision of a physician.
However there are reports of the abuse of this drug as well as reports of addiction even at therapeutic doses. Therefore, physicians need to examine each patient for risk and monitor these symptoms throughout treatment. It is important to inform patients and their relatives about the dangers of unused medications and the need to properly dispose of them. A locked medicine box is a good idea, since it prevents children from accessing and consuming doses that are not used. It's also a great idea to remind patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication could trigger suicidal thoughts or behaviors particularly in those who are depressed, bipolar or have an history of mental illness. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately. This medication can also raise your blood pressure, which can cause stroke or heart problems. Call your doctor right away if you have an increased heart rate, chest pain or sweating. Also tell your doctor if you have a family history of heart disease or sudden death or if you've previously suffered any type of bleeding issue or stroke. This medication can cause numbness or pain in your feet or fingers. It can also make it difficult to fall asleep.
It is not known if the brand-name version is more efficient than the generic version. However many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version due its safety record and effectiveness. This medication is susceptible to abuse and should not be prescribed to anyone who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people have reported that this medication performs better than others, but this is purely anecdotal and hasn't been proven scientifically. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to generic and name-brand methylphenidate. However, this is not necessarily true for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to determine the correct dose when starting treatment for ADHD. A healthcare provider will monitor the body reactions of your child or yourself and make adjustments to find the best medication. These medicines are powerful and can cause side consequences, ranging from irritability and sleep problems to severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nerve system stimulant that has methylphenidate, the active ingredient. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also improves your concentration and decreases anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin could cause serious heart issues, including strokes and sudden deaths for patients with certain medical conditions. source for this article include heart rhythm disorders and high blood pressure as well as a history or cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin, like other stimulant drugs, can cause weight loss and a reduction in appetite. It can also slightly increase the speed of your child's pulse as well as blood pressure. If you suffer from heart problems or an existing condition, your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other side effects include changes to mood, like depression and anxiety. These side effects can also affect the behavior of children, which is particularly challenging for children who are young. In certain instances, it may cause tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which are repetitive movements and sounds, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. It can also slow down growth in children and adolescents. However it is usually temporary and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
There are many forms of this medication, that are available on prescription only. The medication can be taken in the form of a tablet that is chewed, dissolving or swallowed. It can also come in the form of a capsule that is opened and sprinkled over food or liquid. Some people make use of the formula that has a short-acting effect and lasts between three and six hours. Others take it long-term, which requires a higher dosage.
This medication can interact with other medications like monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It could also increase your your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, called angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other drugs or substances. This can change their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful, even deadly. You should inform your doctor about all other medications you or your child taking, including prescription medications and vitamins and supplements. Ritalin can interact with other antidepressants. This is particularly relevant for those that contain monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for people who suffer from circulatory issues like Raynaud's phenomenon or high pressure. It can also cause the onset of Tourette syndrome or tics for those who suffer from these conditions.
Some fMRI studies have found that an acute dose of methylphenidate for medication responders during time discrimination and stop tasks enhanced activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) and medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation in the placebo and off-medication states in the same regions.
These results support the idea that methylphenidate exerts its effects on behavior by increasing extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine, both of which enhance performance in stop and time discrimination tasks. However, additional studies of fMRI and behavioral evidence suggest that the mechanism is more complex than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants in particular seem to hinder dopamine reuptake in certain areas such as the striatum, but not in other regions like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mixture of stimulants and non-stimulants helped reduce ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some cases however, the combination did not perform like a single medication. Most people don't require medication to cope with ADHD. Many people are able to develop better ways to cope through therapy for behavior and training.
Some people anecdotally report that the name-brand Ritalin is more effective than the generic form, but this has not been proven by clinical trials. The two medications are chemically identical, so they are likely to have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate more commonly referred to as Ritalin, is a stimulant of the central nervous system that can help improve concentration, focus and mood when used according to the prescribed dosage. It also works in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. Overdose is possible with any substance that alters brain function. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, or even coma. It is essential to be aware of the symptoms of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical care.
A Ritalin Overdose can happen in many ways. One could accidentally take too many pills because they forgot to take a dose retake. They may also consume other substances that may affect the drug and increase its effect or they may be taking it for recreational purposes and not know how to properly dose it. Long-term Ritalin usage can result in tolerance and a psychological dependence that could lead to addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those with an addiction history.
Contact 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should know the dosage, when it was taken and if they've consumed any other medications or substances. The emergency response team can determine what they should do to treat the person. Typically, they pump the stomach, a process known as gastric lavage, to eliminate any excess substance from the body prior to it can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures, and anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should be carefully monitored by a medical professional. Antiseizure and fluids can be used to treat them. Additionally, the patient might be given activated charcoal to prevent any further substance from entering the body. If they are feeling hot, the staff at the hospital can cool them down using fans and mists of water to prevent hyperthermia.
If you are prescribed Ritalin be sure to store it in a safe location where children cannot reach it. You may also ask your pharmacist about a take-back program. Also, don't keep any unused or expired medication. Mix the medicine that is not used with cat litter or ground coffee and then throw it away.