5 Laws That'll Help Those In Best Medication For ADHD Industry
5 Laws That'll Help Those In Best Medication For ADHD Industry
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Best Medication For ADHD
Most children and teenagers who take ADHD medication notice they focus better and are less impulsive. They feel calmer and get on with their schoolwork. Some individuals may experience a slight slowdown in their growth, or an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure when they are taking these drugs.
The medications are available in a variety of forms including tablets, capsules liquid, patches and pills (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most well-known stimulant. It is available in three forms: immediate release, sustained-release and extended-release.
Stimulants
One of the most effective treatments for ADHD is a class called stimulants. These drugs enhance focus and attention by altering neurotransmitters, particularly norepinephrine as well as dopamine. These are the chemicals that regulate the pre-frontal cortex region, which is often described as the brain's "secretary" because it helps in the planning and organization abilities.
Stimulants come in short- and long-acting doses. The short-acting medicines peak within 30 to 45 minutes and have to be taken two or three times per day. They include methylphenidates, such as Ritalin and Concerta, and amphetamines like Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphetamines can be more powerful and last longer than methylphenidates, but both work in the same way to improve attention and focus. Some stimulant medications are available in extended-release versions. These are a better choice since they last from 8 to 12 hours and are generally taken only daily. Some of these medications are a powder that you mix with liquid to create a drink, while others are pills.
It may take a while to determine the appropriate medication for your child or yourself. Your doctor will watch how you react to different types of medications and will adjust the dosage if needed. The use of medications should be a part of an overall treatment plan that includes support and behavioral therapy.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications take a little longer to start working, but can help you feel more in control and boost your concentration, impulsivity and focus. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine in the as stimulants do, so they are safer to use for an extended period of time. These medications can also have less 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 an inhibitor of selective reuptake. Your doctor may prescribe other medication from this category, including Guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (Kapvay).
There are also non-stimulant antidepressants that can be prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. These are older medications in the tricyclic antidepressant group, such as Tofranil (imipramine). These drugs are only prescribed by doctors when stimulants or other non-stimulants do not work, or if they cause too many side effects.
Viloxazine or atomoxetine can be prescribed by your doctor. These medications do not have a direct effect, but they can help reduce the amount of impulsivity and improve concentration. They're in a different drug category than the other options, and they can cause some side effects such as shaking hands or headaches. Your doctor might also recommend taking a low dose of an antidepressant called bupropion (Wellbutrin) that is not a FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but works well to improve concentration here and reduce impulsivity. It can cause unpleasant, but generally not serious, side effects, like hearing ringing, or changes in vision.