7 Simple Tips For Moving Your Best Medication For ADHD
7 Simple Tips For Moving Your Best Medication For ADHD
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Best Medication For ADHD
Most teenagers and children who are taking ADHD medication notice they focus better, are less impulsive, feel calmer and more focused with their schoolwork. Some experience a minor slowing in growth and could be experiencing an increase in blood pressure or heart rate when taking these medications.
There are many different types of medications such as tablets, liquids, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most popular stimulant. It is available in three forms: immediate-release sustained-release and extended-release.
Stimulants
Stimulants are one of the classes of drugs that is effective in treating ADHD. These drugs aid in improving attention and focus by affecting certain neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate the pre-frontal cortex region, which is often called the brain's "secretary" because it aids in the planning and organization skills.
Stimulants come in short- and long-acting doses. The short-acting drugs peak in 30 to 45 minutes and should be taken three or twice times a day. They include methylphenidates, such as Ritalin and Concerta amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphétamines are stronger and last longer, but they both function in the same way in improving attention and focus. There are also extended-release versions of a few stimulant medications. They are a good option because they get more info last 8 to 12 hours and are usually taken once per day. Some of these are powders that you mix with liquids to create drinks, while others are pills.
Finding the right medication may take some time. Your doctor will watch how you respond to the different types of drugs and adjust the dosage if needed. The use of medications should be part of a complete treatment plan that includes a combination of therapy and support.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a little bit longer to work but it can make you feel in control, increase your impulsivity and concentration and help you focus. These medications do not affect norepinephrine or dopamine the same way that stimulants do. They can therefore be used for a longer time. These medications also have less adverse effects, such as constipation, heartburn and reduced sexual drive. The first drug to be approved by the FDA to treat ADHD is called Strattera and is an inhibitor of selective norepinephrine. Your doctor could prescribe additional medications from this group such as guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay).
Non-stimulant, off-label antidepressants can also be prescribed to treat ADHD. These are older drugs in the tricyclic antidepressant group, like Tofranil (imipramine). Doctors only suggest these drugs when stimulants and other non-stimulants fail to work or cause too many side consequences.
Your doctor may also prescribe atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These drugs don't have an immediate effect, but help reduce impulsivity and improve concentration over time. These drugs are part of a different class of drugs from the others and can cause side effects like shaky hand or headache. Your doctor might also recommend the use of a small dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin), which is not an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but can be effective to improve concentration and reduce impulsivity. It may cause some uncomfortable but not always serious side effects like the ringing of your ears or changes in your vision.