Is ADHD Stimulant Medication The Best There Ever Was?
ADHD Stimulant Medication
Stimulant medication is the first line treatment for ADHD. They have a long track record of high response, excellent tolerance, and safety over the lifespan.
It's important to find the right dosage and medication that can ease your child's or your own symptoms without causing any side consequences. This may require a lot of trial and error as well as a constant communication with your doctor.
Stimulants
Stimulants are medications that increase the activity of the central nervous system. They are frequently used for performance enhancement and cognitive enhancers by students, athletes as well as artists and workers. They are also used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as narcolepsy, binge eating disorder, and other anxiety disorders. Amphetamines, methylphenidates and other stimulant medications are among the most commonly used.
FDA-approved prescription stimulants are available in both prolonged-release and immediate-release formulations. In the case of immediate-release, they are typically taken every four hours as required. They can cause a sudden, short-term decrease in energy known as a crash after they have worn off. The crash can trigger extreme craving, mood swings and fatigue. Immediate-release medications also can increase heart rate and blood pressure in some people, especially those who don't eat enough.
Extended-release drugs are designed to release their active ingredients over a period of 8 to 16 hours. Your doctor may suggest this kind of medication if you are looking for lasting symptom control and do not need to take a pill multiple times a day. Ritalin Concerta and Focalin are all extended-release methylphenidate products. Daytrana is a methylphenidate that acts long-lastingly product that sticks to your skin like a bandage, and lasts throughout the day. This kind of medicine can be prescribed to adults with ADHD and require a daily dosage that lasts longer than the immediate-release options.
The use of stimulants does not cure ADHD however it can help manage the symptoms by improving how neurons in the brain communicate. By blocking or binding their receptors, they can alter the levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This allows more neurotransmitters to be released, and it assists in ensuring that messages between neurons are more efficiently sent and received.
Doctors sometimes prescribe antidepressants in addition to stimulants to treat ADHD. The majority of antidepressants doctors prescribe for ADHD affect the levels of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine in your brain. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors are an excellent choice for people suffering from anxiety or depression. These drugs are typically combined with stimulants to boost their effectiveness. Your doctor could also switch between stimulant and a non-stimulant drug if your current medication isn't effective or has an unacceptably side effects.
Long-acting
Between 70 and 70% to with ADHD benefit from stimulants. They help reduce symptoms such as fidgeting, over-talking and losing focus during conversations or on tasks. They also enhance social skills and job performance.
The stimulant medication starts to work as soon as it crosses the blood-brain boundaries, which takes 45-60 minutes. They increase the levels of dopamine and Norepinephrine between brain cells, which decreases hyperactivity and impulseivity. The FDA-approved stimulant drugs contain two molecules: Methylphenidate (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, Concerta) and amphetamine (Ritalin, Adderall XR, Vyvanse XR). The stimulants can cause side effects such as nausea, loss of appetite and increased blood pressure. They can also cause anxiety and headaches. They can also make tics worse and trigger sleep problems in certain people.
Long-acting stimulants, like Strattera or Wellbutrin, can be used both at night and day. Short-acting medications only last for a short period of time. They can be used to treat other conditions such as depression or anxiety.
These medications work by changing how your body regulates monoamine oxidases. Monoamine oxidases break down dopamine within the brain and other neurotransmitters. When these chemicals aren't eliminated, they stay in your body for a longer time, which affects your thinking and behavior. Long-acting drugs can have lesser side effects, and your doctor will prescribe smaller doses of the drugs that you consume throughout the day.
Some stimulants are available in extended-release versions that you can take daily. Adults may find this more convenient however, it is important to remember to take the stimulants every day.
Other medications have been shown to be effective in treating many adults suffering from ADHD such as selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications are usually prescribed for anxiety or depression but they can also be prescribed for ADHD. About 70% of people react to these drugs. Bupropion, also known 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 side effects, like the ringing of ears, anxiety and changes in heart, vision and lung function.
Short-acting
Stimulant medication reduces ADHD symptoms by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. These two chemicals aid people to control their behavior and focus. adult adhd treatments come in many different forms, and each has its own brand name, like Adderall Vyvanse Ritalin Concerta. There are two major kinds of stimulant medications that are methylphenidates (such as methylphenidate) and the amphetamines (such as dextroamphetamine). They all have similar effects, but differ in their duration of effect. The methylphenidates have shorter-lasting effects that can last up to three hours, while the amphetamines have longer-lasting effects.
Certain people are more in their ability to take long-acting stimulant medication than those with short-acting stimulants which is why your doctor may prescribe this type of medication. It is important that you learn as much as possible about the medication. This includes any adverse effects, the frequency at which it should be taken and any warnings. This will make it easier to work with your doctor to determine the best medication and dose for you.
These medications can also cause adverse side effects, such as difficulty sleeping or a loss of appetite. If these happen, talk to your doctor about adjusting the dosage or trying another drug.
Adults with ADHD who do not respond well to the stimulants might be treated with non-stimulant medicines, which take longer to get started but can improve the ability of a person to concentrate and control impulses. These medications can be prescribed as a stand-alone or in conjunction with stimulants.
The first is atomoxetine (brand names Strattera and Qelbree), which increases norepinephrine as well as dopamine in the prefrontal brain which regulates behavior. Guanfacine, also known as Intuniv is part of the group of drugs called alpha-agonists. These drugs work by blocking reuptake and increasing the level of brain chemicals in the bloodstream. Guanfacine was developed to treat high blood pressure but has also been shown to aid people suffering from ADHD.
Combinations
People suffering from ADHD make use of a variety drug combinations. These include stimulants and depressant drugs such as the guanfacine and clonidine. These drugs can have a calming affect on the brain and help reduce symptoms like sleeplessness and aggressive behavior. They also help to prevent withdrawal symptoms caused by stimulants. However, this combination could be risky if utilized correctly. Serotonin Syndrome is a drug emergency which occurs when there is an excess of serotonin in the body. This combination can also raise the heart rate and blood pressure. The risks of taking this drug are higher for people with pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease.
Combinations of stimulants are increasingly being used by teenagers and young adults. These substances are often referred to as "legal highs" and are sold in pharmacies. They are also available on the black market. These substances can be hazardous especially when mixed with alcohol and other substances. The use of multiple drugs can be risky. Mixing drugs can trigger unpredictably harmful effects, such as increased heart rate, slower breathing, paranoia, hallucinations, seizures and addiction.
Combination therapy is more effective than monopharmacotherapy for treating ADHD, according to the findings of a study. Combining medications helped improve adherence and helped patients achieve greater symptom relief than monotherapy. Some patients, however stopped their treatment due to adverse effects. In some cases it is possible that the medication has been discontinued due to sleep problems or worsening of tics. This could be due to a wrong diagnosis or lack of medication.
Nonstimulants are also used to treat ADHD. These drugs can be effective in enhancing attention span and impulse regulation, but not as well as stimulants. They are also less likely to suppress growth and affect appetite. Some antidepressants can also be prescribed for ADHD. However, they have a smaller chance of improving concentration and focus.
Several studies have shown that atomoxetine and methylphenidate (Concerta) can be used together to achieve better results than either alone. Combining these two medications improved the adherence of patients and decreased adverse effects for the majority of people. The combination was beneficial for young adults and adolescents. This combination could be a viable option for children suffering from severe ADHD.