10 Fundamentals About Best Medication For ADHD You Didn't Learn In The Classroom
10 Fundamentals About Best Medication For ADHD You Didn't Learn In The Classroom
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Best Medication For ADHD
Teenagers and children taking ADHD medication tend to focus more effectively, have less impulsive, and are more calm. They also get on with schoolwork. Some sufferers may experience a slowdown in their growth or a rise in heart rate or bloodpressure when taking these medications.
They are available in various forms including tablets, capsules liquid, patches and tablets (such as Daytrana). The most popular stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It's available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release amphetamine, and dextroamphetamine with extended release.
Stimulants
Stimulants are one of the classes of drugs that is effective in treating ADHD. These medications help improve attention and focus by affecting certain neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, often referred to by the term "secretary of the brain" because it assists in planning and organization skills.
Stimulants come in short and long-acting doses. The short-acting drugs peak in 30 to 45 minutes, and need to be taken two or three times a day. These include methylphenidates, like Ritalin and Concerta, and amphetamines like Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphetamines are more powerful and last longer than methylphenidates however they work in the same way to increase attention and focus. There are also extended-release versions of a few stimulant drugs. These can be a better option since they last between 8 to 12 hours and are typically taken every day. Some of these medicines are powders that you mix with liquid to create a drink, while others are pills.
Finding the right medicine can take a while. Your doctor will observe how you respond to the different types of medications and will adjust the dosage as needed. The use of medicines should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes a combination of therapy and support.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a little more time to work, but it can help you feel more in control, improve your concentration and impulsivity, and improve your focus. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine the same as stimulants do, so they can be safer to use for longer periods of time. They can also have fewer side effects, such as constipation, heartburn and decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these drugs that was approved by FDA to treat ADHD. It's a selective reuptake norepinephrine inhibitor. Your doctor might prescribe other medicines from this class such as Guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (Kapvay).
There are also antidepressants that are not stimulant that can be prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. Tricyclic antidepressants from the past like Tofranil(imipramine), are used to treat ADHD. Doctors only suggest these drugs in cases where stimulants or other non-stimulants aren't working or cause too many adverse consequences.
Your doctor can also prescribe atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medications don't have an immediate effect however they can help reduce impulsivity and improve concentration over time. These medications are in a different class of drugs compared to the others and can trigger side effects like shaky hand or headache. Your doctor might also suggest the low dose antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin), that isn't FDA approved for ADHD treatment but can increase concentration and decrease impulsivity. It can trigger some uncomfortable but usually not serious side click here effects like hearing loss or changes in vision.