Is ADHD Stimulant Medication The Best Thing There Ever Was?
ADHD Stimulant Medication Stimulant medications are the first-line treatment for ADHD. They have a long history of a strong response, a high tolerance and safety across the life span. It is essential to choose a medication and dosage that will relieve your child's or your own symptoms without causing side effects. It can take a lot of trial and error as well as a constant communication with your doctor. Stimulants Stimulants are substances that boost activity in the central nervous system. Students and athletes, artists, workers and others take these drugs to improve their performance and cognitive abilities. They also serve to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. They also treat binge eating disorder, as well as other anxiety disorders. The most popular stimulant drugs are amphetamines and methylphenidates. FDA-approved prescription stimulants are available in both extended-release and immediate-release formulations. In the case of immediate-release, they are typically taken every 4 hours as required. They can trigger a sudden, short-term decrease in energy called a crash when they are worn off. The crash may cause extreme hunger, mood swings and fatigue. Instant-release medication can also increase blood pressure and heartbeat in some people. This is especially true when they do not take enough food. Extended-release medications are designed to release their active ingredients over a period of between 8 and 16 hours. This type of medication may be prescribed by your physician if you are looking for long-lasting control of symptoms without having to take pills frequently throughout the day. Ritalin Concerta and Focalin are all extended-release methylphenidate products. Daytrana is a long-acting methylphenidate product that sticks to your skin like a bandage, and is able to last for the entire day. This type of medication is often prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD who need daily doses that last longer than the immediate-release alternatives. Stimulant medication does not cure ADHD but it can assist manage the symptoms by improving how neurons in the brain communicate. They accomplish this by altering the levels of neurotransmitters within the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine, by blocking or binding to their receptors. This allows more neurotransmitters be released, and it helps messages between neurons be more effectively sent and received. Doctors often prescribe antidepressants addition to stimulants for ADHD. Most antidepressants doctors prescribe for ADHD affect the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibiters are a great option for those suffering from depression or anxiety. These medications are usually combined with stimulants to boost their effectiveness. Your doctor may also switch between stimulant and non-stimulant medication in the event that your current medication isn't working or has an unacceptably side effects. Long-acting Between 70 and 80% children and adults with ADHD benefit from stimulants. They help reduce symptoms such as fidgeting, arguing with others and losing focus during conversations or on tasks. They also enhance the quality of work and social abilities. Stimulant medications start working as soon as they cross the blood-brain barrier, which can take anywhere between 45 and 60 minutes. They increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels between brain cells, which reduces the impulsivity and hyperactivity. The FDA-approved stimulant drugs contain two molecules that are the methylphenidate (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, Concerta) and amphetamine (Ritalin, Adderall XR, Vyvanse XR). The stimulants can cause adverse effects like nausea, loss of appetite and increased blood pressure. They can also cause headaches and anxiety. They can also make tics more severe and may cause sleep issues in certain people. Long-acting stimulants like Strattera or Wellbutrin, can be used all day and night. The short-acting drugs only last a few hours. They also aid in other conditions such as anxiety or depression. The medications affect the way that your body regulates chemical called monoamine oxides. Monoamine oxidases break down dopamine within the brain, along with other neurotransmitters. If these chemicals aren't eliminated into smaller pieces, they remain in your body for a longer time and affect your behavior and mental state. Long-acting drugs can have fewer negative effects. Your doctor will prescribe smaller doses of the drugs that you consume throughout the day. Certain stimulants are available as extended-release formulations that you take daily. This can be more convenient for some adults, but it's crucial to remember to take them every day. Other medications have been found to be effective for a lot of adults suffering from ADHD, including selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These are usually used to treat anxiety or depression, but they can also be prescribed for ADHD, and about 70% of people are able to respond. Bupropion, also known as Wellbutrin is an SSRI approved for ADHD. It was found to be more efficient in a controlled research than placebos. These SSRIs can cause severe side effects like ringing in the ears, anxiety, and changes to vision as well as lung and heart function in some people. Short-acting Stimulant medication reduces ADHD symptoms by increasing levels dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain. These two chemicals assist people to control their behavior and focus. These drugs are available in different forms and each comes with its own distinct brand, such as Adderall Vyvanse Ritalin Concerta. There are two primary types of stimulant medications amphetamines, methylphenidates, and methylphenidates. All have similar effects, but their duration of action varies. The methylphenidates are less effective that can last up to three hours, while the amphetamines are more long-lasting. Some people tolerate stimulant medications better than others, and your doctor might prescribe them. It is essential to know everything you can about the medication, including potential side effects, how often it should be taken, and any special warnings that should be observed. This will help to work with your doctor in determining the appropriate dosage and medication for you. You should also understand that these drugs can cause certain negative adverse effects, like difficulty getting to sleep or losing appetite. If these occur consult your physician about changing the dosage or attempting other medications. adult adhd medication with ADHD who do not respond well to the stimulants might be treated with non-stimulant drugs, which take longer to begin working but improve a person's ability to focus and control impulses. These medications are available either in combination or on their own. The first one is atomoxetine (brand names Strattera and Qelbree), which increases norepinephrine as well as dopamine in the prefrontal cortex, which controls behavior. Another is guanfacine (brand name Intuniv), which belongs to a group of medications called alpha agonists. These work by blocking the absorption of these brain chemicals, and increasing their level in the bloodstream. Guanfacine was developed to treat high blood pressure but it has also been proven to help people with ADHD. Combinations There are many combinations of drugs used by those with ADHD. This includes stimulants paired with depressant drugs such as the guanfacine or clonidine. These drugs are calming for the brain and can help reduce symptoms such as sleeplessness and aggressive behavior. They also aid in preventing withdrawal symptoms that can result from stimulants. However, this combination could be dangerous if not properly used. Serotonin Syndrome is a medical emergency that occurs when there is too much serotonin in the body. This combination can also increase the heart rate and blood pressure. People with heart disease or high blood pressure are at a greater risk of developing side effects from this medication. Teenagers and young adults are increasingly consuming stimulant mixtures. These are commonly described as “legal highs” and are available in pharmacies. They are also sold on the black market. These substances are dangerous particularly when they are combined with alcohol or other substances. This is known as polydrug usage and can be very dangerous. Mixing drugs can result in unpredictably harmful effects, such as increased heart rate, slower breathing, paranoia, hallucinations, seizures and addiction. A study showed that combination therapy was more effective than monopharmacotherapy when treating ADHD. Combining medications helped improve adherence and helped patients achieve more relief from symptoms than monotherapy. However some patients halted their treatment due to adverse effects. In a few instances it was reported that the medication was withdrawn due to sleep issues or worsening tics. This could be due to a poor diagnosis or lack of medication. Nonstimulants can also be used to treat ADHD. These medications help improve the quality of attention and impulse control, but they don't work as well as stimulants. They are less likely to inhibit appetite and increase. Certain antidepressants may also be prescribed for ADHD. However they have a lower chance of improving concentration and focus. In a number of studies, atomoxetine (Concerta) in combination with methylphenidate produced better results than any other drug taken on its own. Combining these two medications was proven to increase adherence and reduce side effects in most people. The combination was also successful in young adults and adolescents. This combination may be a viable treatment for children suffering from severe ADHD.