"The Best Medication For ADHD Awards: The Most, Worst, And Strangest Things We've Ever Seen
"The Best Medication For ADHD Awards: The Most, Worst, And Strangest Things We've Ever Seen
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Best Medication For ADHD
Most teenagers and children who are taking ADHD medication report that they focus better and are less impulsive. They also feel calmer and more focused with their school work. Some people may experience a slight slowdown in their growth or a rise in blood pressure or heart rate when taking these medications.
Medications are available in different forms, including capsules, tablets liquid, patches and pills (such as Daytrana). The most popular stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It is available in three forms: immediate release, extended-release and sustained-release.
Stimulants
Stimulants are one of the classes of drugs that is effective in treating ADHD. These drugs improve focus and attention by altering neurotransmitters, especially norepinephrine and dopamine. These are the chemicals that regulate the brain's pre-frontal cortex that is often referred to as the brain's "secretary" because it helps in the planning and organization skills.
Stimulants are available in short- and long-acting doses. The short-acting drugs peak within 30 to 45 minutes and have to be taken two or three times a throughout the day. These include methylphenidates, like Ritalin and Concerta amphetamines such as Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphétamines are stronger and last longer, however they all work in similarly in improving attention and focus. There are also extended-release versions of a few stimulant drugs. They are a good option because they last up to 12 hours and are typically taken daily. Certain of these medicines are powders that you mix with liquids to make beverages, while some are pills.
It can take time to determine the appropriate medication for your child or yourself. Your doctor will watch how you respond to the different kinds of drugs and adjust the dosage if needed. Medications should only be used in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan, which will include a combination of behavioral therapy and support services.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a longer to take effect but it can make you feel more in control, increase your concentration more info and impulsivity and increase your concentration. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine in the same as stimulants do, so they are safer to use over a longer period of time. These medications can also be less prone to side effects, such as constipation, heartburn, and decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these medications that was approved by FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of the selective reuptake of norepinephrine. Your doctor might prescribe other medicines from this class which include the guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (Kapvay).
Non-stimulant antidepressants that are off-label can also be prescribed to treat ADHD. These older tricyclic antidepressants, such as Tofranil(imipramine) are used to treat ADHD. Doctors will only recommend these medications when stimulants and other non-stimulants aren't working or cause too many side negative effects.
Your doctor may also prescribe Atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These drugs don't have immediate effects however they can reduce the tendency to be impulsive and improve concentration over time. They're in a different class than the other options, and they can cause some adverse effects, such as headaches or shaky hands. Your doctor might also recommend taking a low dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin) which is not a FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but can be effective to improve concentration and decrease the impulsivity. It can cause unpleasant, but generally not serious side effects, such as hearing ringing, or changes in vision.