The Ultimate Glossary Of Terms About Best Medication For ADHD
The Ultimate Glossary Of Terms About Best Medication For ADHD
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Best Medication For ADHD
Teenagers and children who take ADHD medication tend to focus better, be less impulsive, and feel calmer. They also do better with schoolwork. Some individuals may experience a slight slowing in their growth or an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure when taking these medications.
There are a variety of medications that include liquids, tablets, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). The most popular stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It is available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts with extended-release.
Stimulants
Stimulants are a class of drugs that are effective in treating ADHD. These drugs aid in improving attention and focus by affecting certain neurotransmitters within the brain, especially dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate the prefrontal cortex which is often referred to as the brain's "secretary" because it helps with organizing and planning abilities.
Stimulants come in short and long-acting doses. The short-acting medications peak in 30 to 45 minutes and need to be taken 2 or 3 times a throughout the day. Amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin, are among these. Amphetamines are stronger and last longer, however they all work in similarly in improving attention and focus. Some stimulant medications are available in extended-release formulations. These are a better choice because they last for 8 to 12 hours, and are usually taken once a day. Some of these are powders that is mixed with liquid to make a drink, and others are pills.
It may take some time to find the right medication for your child or yourself. Your doctor will observe how you respond to the various types of drugs and adjust the dosage if needed. The use of medications should be done as part of a complete treatment plan, which will include a combination of behavioral therapy and support services.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications take a little longer to begin working but they can make you feel more in control and improve your impulsivity, concentration and focus. These medications do not affect dopamine or norepinephrine like stimulants do. They are therefore able to be utilized for a longer period of time. These medications can also have less adverse negative effects like constipation, heartburn and reduced sexual drive. Strattera is the first website of these drugs that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's a selective reuptake norepinephrine inhibitor. Your doctor may prescribe guanfacine, referred to as Intuniv or clonidine, which are both medicines in this group.
Non-stimulant antidepressants that are off-label can also be prescribed to treat ADHD. Tricyclic antidepressants from the past, such as Tofranil(imipramine) are prescribed to treat ADHD. These medications are only prescribed by doctors if stimulants or other non-stimulants fail to work or if they have too many adverse effects.
Your doctor may also prescribe the atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medications don't have an immediate impact but they may help reduce the amount of impulsivity that occurs over time and increase concentration. They're in a distinct drug class than the other options and can trigger some side effects such as shaky hands or headache. Your doctor might also recommend taking a low dose of an antidepressant known as bupropion (Wellbutrin) which isn't an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but can be effective to increase concentration and reduce the impulsivity. It can have some unpleasant but usually not severe side effects, like hearing ringing, or changes in vision.