The Comprehensive Guide To ADHD Medication Ritalin
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medication used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It helps improve brain communication, which decreases ADHD.
ADHD medications can trigger adverse effects, like sleepiness and a lack of appetite. However, the majority of these are mild and disappear on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters within the brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used since decades. It is considered to be safe when used in the dosages recommended under the guidance of your doctor.
However there have been instances of addiction and abuse when the drug is administered at therapeutic doses. Physicians must assess the risk for each patient and monitor the symptoms throughout treatment. It is important to inform patients and their family members about the dangers of taking medications that are not used and the need to appropriately dispose of them. It is best to utilize an enclosed medicine cabinet that will stop children from taking unneeded medication. It's also a great idea to remind patients not to divulge their medication to anyone.
This medication may cause suicidal thoughts or actions especially in those who are bipolar, depressed or have a history of mental illness. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure that could lead to strokes or heart problems. Contact your doctor immediately if you have a high heart rate, chest pain or sweating. Also, inform your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have previously suffered any type of bleeding issue or stroke. This medication can affect blood circulation and cause numbness or pain in your fingers or toes. It can also make it difficult to sleep.
It is not known if the brand-name version is more efficient than its generic counterpart. Many doctors still prefer the brand name medication because of its safety and effectiveness. It is important to note that this medication could be misused and should not be given to someone who isn't suffering from ADHD or narcolepsy.
Some people believe that this medication is more effective than other. However, this is only anecdotal evidence that has not yet been scientifically proved. Some parents report that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate versus name-brand, but this may not be the case for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to find the correct dose when starting treatment for ADHD. A healthcare professional will observe your child's body reactions and make adjustments until they discover the most effective medication. These powerful medications can cause adverse reactions that range from sleep disorders, irritability and severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nerve system stimulant that contains methylphenidate as its active ingredient. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, chemical compounds that are associated with control and attention. It also improves your concentration and decreases anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin can cause serious heart problems, including stroke and sudden deaths in those who suffer from certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure as well as the possibility of heart attack and cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin as with other stimulant medications, can cause weight loss and a decrease in appetite. It may also raise your your child's pulse rate and blood pressure little. If you suffer from heart problems or an existing medical condition, your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. They can also impact behavior that can be particularly difficult for young children taking the medication. In some cases it can trigger symptoms such as tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which are repetitive movements and sounds such as eye blinking or throat clearing. It can also cause a slowing of growth for children and teens. It is usually temporary and doesn't alter their height in the future.
The medication is available in various forms, but only with a prescription. The medication can be taken as a tablet, which can be chewed, dissolved, or swallowed. It can also come in the form of a capsule which is then opened and sprinkled on food or liquid. Some people choose to use an ingredient that acts quickly and lasts between three and six hours. Others take it long-term, which requires more dosage.
This medication may interact with certain other drugs like monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It could also increase your your child's risk of developing a potentially fatal side effect, such as angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications interact with other drugs or substances. This can alter the effects of their actions. adhd in adults medication can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Tell your doctor what other medications you or your child take, including vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, especially those containing monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This could cause serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or actions, seizures, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for those with issues with circulation like Raynaud's phenomenon or high blood pressure. It may also cause more symptoms in people with Tourette syndrome and tics.
Certain fMRI studies have shown that an acute dose of methylphenidate within medication responders during time discrimination and stop tasks increased activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and the striatum. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation during the placebo and off-medication states in the same regions.
These results show that methylphenidate improves performance in the tasks of stopping and timing discrimination by increasing extracellular norepinephrine and dopamine. However, other fMRI and behavioral data suggest that the mechanism is more complex than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, specifically, are believed to block dopamine reuptake process in certain regions such as the striatum, but not in other areas, such the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination between stimulants and nonstimulants reduced ADHD-like symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in some patients the combination didn't perform as well as a single drug. Medications are not the only treatment for ADHD, and most people do not need medication to manage the disorder. Skills training and behavior therapy can help a lot of people develop more effective strategies for coping.
There are reports that name-brand Ritalin is more effective than the generic form, but this has not been confirmed by clinical trials. Both drugs are chemically same, which means they will both have the same effects on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate is also known as Ritalin, is a stimulant for the central nervous system that can help improve focus, concentration and mood when taken according to the prescription. It has also been proven effective in treating ADD/ADHD and the disorder known as narcolepsy. But, as with any drug that alters the brain, if it is misused or taken in large amounts, overdoses can occur. This can result in heart attack, stroke and coma as well as other serious medical problems. Recognizing the signs of a Ritalin overdose is crucial to stopping these symptoms and taking action to seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a variety of causes. One could accidentally consume too many pills since they did not remember to refill their prescription. They could also be taking other substances that may affect the drug and increase its effect or they could be using it for recreational purposes and not know how to properly dose it. In addition, long-term usage of Ritalin can result in addiction and psychological dependence that could lead to addiction. As a result those with an history of using stimulants or other drugs should only use Ritalin under the supervision of a physician.
Patients suffering from a Ritalin overdose should contact 911 immediately. They must be able to provide the emergency personnel with specific details regarding their dosage, when they were taking it, as well as any other drugs or substances they took. The emergency response team will be able to more accurately determine the best treatment for the patient. They usually use the stomach pump (a procedure referred to as gastriclavage) to remove any excess drugs from the body before they can be absorbed in the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures, so anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should be carefully monitored by medical professionals. Fluids and antiseizure medication can be used to treat them. Activated charcoal is also administered to the patient in order to stop the drug from entering 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've been prescribed Ritalin keep it in a location that is secure and where children cannot access it. Ask your pharmacist if they have a drug-return program. Don't keep expired or unused medication. Instead, mix the unneeded medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and throw it away.