Beware Of These "Trends" About ADHD Medication Ritalin
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant drug that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It improves brain communication, which reduces ADHD.
ADHD medications can cause adverse effects, like sleepiness and a lack of appetite. However, most of these are minor and disappear by themselves or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters regulate motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used for many years and is considered safe in recommended dosages when taken under the guidance of a physician.
However, there are reports of abuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic dosage levels. Therefore, physicians need to evaluate each patient for the risk and monitor these symptoms throughout treatment. It is also essential to inform patients and their families about the dangers and the need for proper disposal of any unneeded medication. It is best to use an enclosed medicine cabinet which will prevent children from accidentally taking unused medication. It is also a good idea to advise patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication may trigger suicidal thoughts or feelings, especially for those who are bipolar or depressed or have a mental illness history. Talk with your doctor right now if you exhibit any of these symptoms. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure that can cause strokes or heart problems. If you feel chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, or excessive sweating, call your doctor immediately. Also, inform your doctor if you have any family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have ever suffered from any kind of bleeding issue or stroke. This medication can cause numbness and pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make it difficult to sleep.
It isn't clear whether the brand-name version is more effective than its generic counterpart. However many doctors prefer the brand-name version because of its history of safety and effectiveness. This medication is susceptible to abuse and should not be prescribed to anyone who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people believe that this medication is more effective than others. However it is merely anecdotal evidence and has not yet been scientifically proven. Some parents have reported that their children respond differently to generic and name-brand methylphenidate. However, this isn't the case for every child.
Side effects
When you are first starting medication to treat ADHD it takes some time to find the right dose. A doctor will be able to monitor the body reactions of your child or yourself and make adjustments to find the best medication. These medications are potent and may cause adverse effects, from irritability and sleep disorders to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that contains methylphenidate as the active ingredient. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which are chemicals that aid in control and attention. It also increases your concentration and reduces anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin could cause serious heart issues, including stroke and sudden death in people with certain medical conditions, including heart rhythm disorders, high blood pressure and an history of heart attack or cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin as with other stimulant drugs, can cause weight loss and a reduction in appetite. It can also increase your or your child's pulse rate and blood pressure little. If you have heart issues or an existing condition your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. They can also affect the way you behave, which can be especially difficult for children who are taking the medication. In certain instances, it may cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm) which are repetitive sounds or movements, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. medication for adhd adults can also cause a slowing of growth for children and teens. This is usually temporary and doesn't alter their height at the end of the day.
This medication is available in several forms, but only by prescription. The medication can be taken as a tablet, which is chewed, dissolving or swallowed. medication for adhd adults can also come in the form of a capsule which is opened and sprinkled over food or liquid. Some people use a short-acting formula that lasts between three and six hours, whereas others take it for a longer time and require an increased dose.
This medication may interact with other medications like monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It may also increase your or your child's risk of a potentially fatal side effect, angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications interact with other drugs or substances. This can alter the effects of their actions. Certain interactions could be harmful, even deadly. Discuss with your doctor the other medications you and your child are taking, including supplements and vitamins, as well as prescription drugs. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, specifically those that contain monoamine inhibitors of oxidase (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts or actions, seizures, and hallucinations. Ritalin should not be taken by those with circulatory problems such as Raynaud's phenomena or high blood pressure. It may also cause more symptoms in those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
A few fMRI studies have revealed that a high dose of methylphenidate given to responders to medication during stop-and-time discrimination tasks increased the activity of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial cingulate cortex, anterior cingulate (ACC), and the striatum. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation during non-medication and placebo conditions in the same regions.
These results show that methylphenidate improves performance in stop and timing discrimination tasks by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. However, other studies of fMRI and behavioral evidence suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to hinder the reuptake process of dopamine in some areas, such as the striatum, but not other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix of stimulants and nonstimulants helped reduce ADHD-like symptoms in children who had moderate to severe cases. However, in certain patients, the combination did not perform as well as the single drug. The use of medications is not the sole treatment for ADHD and the majority of people do not need them to live with the disorder. Training in skills and behavior therapy can help a lot of people develop more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
Clinical trials haven't proven that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both medications are chemically the same, which means they will both have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate, more commonly known as Ritalin is a stimulant for the central nervous system that improves focus, concentration and mood when used according to the prescribed dosage. It also works in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. However, like all substances that alters the brain, if misused or used in large doses, overdoses can occur. This can result in stroke, heart attack or coma, as well as other serious medical issues. It is essential to be aware of the signs of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical attention.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of causes. For instance, a person may have a mishap and take too much medication because they do not remember to re-dose their medication. Other substances may interact with the drug, causing its effects, or they may be taking it for recreational purposes and not know how to dose it. Furthermore, long-term use of Ritalin can lead to dependence and tolerance that can cause addiction. As a result people with an history of abuse of stimulants or other drugs should use Ritalin under the supervision of a physician.
Call 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should be aware of the dose, the time it was taken and if they've consumed any other medications or substances. The emergency response team can then better determine what to do to help the patient. They typically use the stomach pump (a procedure referred to as gastriclavage) to eliminate any excess drugs from the body before they are taken up by the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical experts. Fluids and antiseizure medications are a way to treat seizures. Activated charcoal is also administered to the patient in order to stop the drugs from entering the body. The hospital staff may cool the patient with fans or mists of cooled water if they feel hot.
If you're prescribed Ritalin, make sure to store it in a safe location where children cannot reach it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return program. Do not keep any expired or unused medicine. Instead, mix the expired medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and throw it away.