A Vibrant Rant About ADHD Medication Ritalin
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It improves the way parts of the brain communicate, which can reduce ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can have side effects such as a reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. Most of these side effects are minor and will disappear on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which are key neurotransmitters responsible for controlling motivation actions, cognition, and motivation. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for a long time. It is considered to be safe when used in the dosages recommended under the supervision of your physician.
Nevertheless there have been reports of addiction and abuse when the drug is taken in therapeutic doses. Doctors must evaluate the risk of each patient and monitor their symptoms throughout the treatment. It is also important to educate patients and their families on this risk of harm and the need for proper disposal of any unneeded medication. It is best medication for adhd to utilize a locked medicine container which will prevent children from accidentally taking unused medication. It is also a good idea to advise patients not to share the medication with anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts or feelings, especially in those who prescribes medication for adhd are bipolar or depressed or have a mental health history. Consult your doctor away if you have any of these symptoms. This medication may also raise your blood pressure, which can cause heart or stroke. Get your doctor's attention immediately if you have an increased heart rate, chest pain, or sweating. Inform your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease, sudden death or if you've ever had a stroke or bleeding problems. This medication can alter your blood circulation, causing the sensation of numbness or pain to your fingers or toes. It can also make it hard to sleep.
It is not known if the brand-name version is more effective than its generic adhd medications; privatepsychiatrist54785.wikinewspaper.com, counterpart. However many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version due its safety record and effectiveness. It is also important to keep in mind that this medication is a risk to misused and should never be administered to anyone who does not suffer from intuitive adhd medication or narcolepsy.
Some people report that this medication performs better than others, however this is just anecdotal evidence and has not been proven scientifically. Some parents report that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate versus the brand name, but this might not be the case for all children.
Side effects
When starting medications to treat ADHD, it takes some time to find the right dosage. A healthcare professional will observe your child's body reactions and adjust until they discover the most effective dosage. These medications are potent and can cause side effects, ranging from irritability to sleep issues to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin has the active ingredient methylphenidate and is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart issues, including sudden death and stroke for those suffering from certain medical conditions, like heart rhythm disorders high blood pressure, a history of cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications, Ritalin can result in a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It can also increase the pulse rate and blood pressure slightly. This could be a concern in the event of a preexisting heart condition or other heart issues, so your doctor will keep a close watch over your heart rate and blood pressure.
Other adverse effects include changes in mood, such as depression and anxiety. They can also affect the way you behave, which can be especially difficult for young children taking the medication. In some cases it can cause tics or TouretteaEURtm(tm), which are repetitive movements or sounds, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow growth in adolescents and children. However this is usually only temporary and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
This medication is available in various forms, but only by prescription. It can be a tablet that's swallowed, chewed on or dissolved, a capsule that is open and sprinkled onto food items or a liquid. Some people choose to use the formula that has a short-acting effect and lasts between three and six hours. Others take it long-term and require a higher dosage.
This medication may interact with other drugs, such as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It can also increase your or your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, such as angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other drugs or substances. This could alter their effects. Certain interactions can be dangerous and even life-threatening. You should inform your doctor about all other medicines you or your child are taking, including over-the-counter medicines and vitamins and supplements. Ritalin can interact with certain antidepressants, particularly those that contain monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This could cause serious side effects, including suicidal ideas or seizures, actions, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for those with issues with circulation like Raynaud's phenomenon or high pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms in those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
Some fMRI research has found that an acute dose of methylphenidate given to medication responders during stop-and time discrimination tasks increased the activity of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial cingulate cortex, anterior cingulate (ACC) and striatum. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation during the placebo and off-medication states in the same regions.
These results support the hypothesis that methylphenidate elicits its effect on behavior through the increase of extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine, which improve performance in stop and time-discrimination tasks. However, other studies of fMRI and behavioral evidence suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than increased dopamine and norepinephrine. Particularly, psychostimulants are believed to hinder the reuptake process of dopamine in some regions, like the striatum, but not in other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mixture of stimulants and non prescription adhd medication for adults-stimulants decreased ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some patients however, the combination didn't perform as well as a single drug. Most people don't need medication to deal with ADHD. Many people are able to develop more effective ways to cope with the disorder through therapy and training.
Clinical trials haven't proved that the name-brand Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both medications are chemically the same, which means they will both have the same effects on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate more commonly referred to as Ritalin, is a stimulant for the central nervous system that can improve focus, concentration and mood when used according to the prescription. It is also effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. Overdose is possible with any substance that alters brain function. This could lead to stroke, heart attack or even coma. It is essential to recognize the signs of an overdose on Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin Overdose can be caused in a variety of ways. Someone may accidentally consume too many pills since they didn't remember to take a dose retake. They might also consume other substances that can affect the drug and increase its effects or they could be taking it for recreational purposes and aren't aware of how to get medication for adhd uk to dose it correctly. Long-term Ritalin use can cause tolerance and psychological dependence that can lead to addiction. Therefore those with a history of abusing stimulants or other drugs should only use Ritalin under the supervision of a medical professional.
Contact 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should be aware of the dosage, when it was taken, and if they have taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will then be able to determine the best treatment for the patient. They will usually use the stomach pump (a procedure known as gastriclavage) to eliminate any excess drugs from the body before they are absorbed in the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical experts. Fluids and antiseizure medication can be used to treat seizures. Activated charcoal is also given to the patient in order to prevent the drug from entering the body. If they feel hot, the staff at the hospital can cool them down with fans and mists of water to avoid hyperthermia.
If you are prescribed Ritalin be sure to keep it in a secure area where children cannot get it. You may also ask your pharmacist about a take-back program. Do not keep any expired or unneeded medication. Instead, mix the unused medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and throw it away.