9 Lessons Your Parents Teach You About ADHD Medication Ritalin
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant drug used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It improves the way the parts of the brain communicate, which reduces ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can cause adverse effects, like sleepiness and a lack of appetite. The majority of these side effects are minor and will fade on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters within the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for decades and is considered safe when taken in the recommended dosages taken under the supervision by a physician.
However there have been instances of addiction and abuse when the drug is taken in therapeutic doses. Therefore, physicians need to evaluate each patient for the risk and observe these symptoms throughout treatment. It is crucial to inform patients as well as their family members about the dangers of unused medications and the need to appropriately dispose of them. Utilizing a locked medicine cabinet is ideal, as this prevents children from accessing and accidentally taking unused doses. It is also an excellent idea to inform patients not to share this medication with anyone.
This medication may trigger suicidal thoughts or feelings especially in those who prescribes medication for adhd suffer from bipolar disorder or depression or have a mental health history. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. This medication may also increase your blood pressure, which could cause heart or stroke. Get your doctor's attention immediately if you have an elevated heart rate, chest pain or sweating. Also tell your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have ever suffered from any kind of stroke or bleeding problem. This medication can cause numbness or pain in your feet or fingers. It can also make it hard to fall asleep.
It isn't clear whether the brand-name version is more efficient than its generic counterpart. Many doctors still prefer the brand-name version because of its effectiveness and safety. This medication is susceptible to abuse and should not be given to anyone who isn't suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people report that this medication is more effective than others, however this is just anecdotal evidence and hasn't been proven scientifically. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to name-brand versus generic methylphenidate, but this is not necessarily true for every child.
Side effects
It takes time to find the correct dose when starting medication to treat what adhd medications are there uk. A healthcare provider will monitor your child's body reactions and adjust until they find the most effective treatment. These medicines are extremely effective and can cause side effects, ranging from irritability to sleep disorders to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin has the active ingredient methylphenidate and is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It is a stimulant that increases levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, chemicals associated control and attention. It also improves your concentration and decreases anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin could cause serious heart problems including strokes and sudden deaths for people who suffer from certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure and an underlying cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can cause a decreased appetite and weight loss. It may also raise your or your child's pulse rate and blood pressure slightly. This can be a problem if you have a preexisting heart condition or have heart problems and your doctor will be on check on your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include anxiety and depression. They can also affect the way you behave which is particularly difficult for children who are 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 the growth in teenagers and children. This is usually temporary, and does not alter their height at the end of the day.
There are a variety of forms of this medication, which are available by prescription only. The medication can be taken as a tablet, which is chewed, dissolved or swallowed. It can also come in the form of a capsule, that is opened and sprinkled on food or liquid. Some people make use of a formula that is short-acting and lasts between three and six hours. Some people take it for a longer time, which requires an increased dose.
This medication can doctors prescribe adhd medication interact with other medications like monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It can also increase your or your child's risk of a potentially fatal side effect, called angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other substances or drugs. This can alter the effects of their actions. Some interactions can be dangerous and even life-threatening. It is important to inform your doctor about all the other medications you or your child is taking, including prescription medications and vitamins and supplements. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants. This is particularly the case for those with monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This can cause serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts and actions, seizures, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for individuals who suffer from circulatory issues like Raynaud's phenomenon or high pressure. It may also aggravate symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in people who have these conditions.
Certain fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose of methylphenidate within medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks increased activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and striatum 25. These changes were also accompanied by normalization of the subactivation in the same regions during placebo and off medication conditions.
These results show that methylphenidate can improve performance in the tasks of stopping and timing discrimination by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Other fMRI and behavior data suggest the mechanism is more complicated than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants in particular appear to inhibit the dopamine reuptake process in certain regions such as the striatum, but not in other areas like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix of stimulants and non-stimulants reduced ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in a few patients the combination didn't work as well as the single drug. There is no one-stop treatment for Adhd medication Ritalin and the majority of people do not require them to live with the condition. Skills training and behavior therapy can help a lot of people develop more effective strategies for coping.
Clinical trials haven't proved that the name-brand Ritalin is superior to the generic version. The two drugs are chemically identical, and they should have the same effect on a majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It can boost mood, focus and concentration when prescribed. It also works in treating narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and ADD. But, as with any drug that alters the brain, if misused or taken in large amounts, overdose can occur. This can result in heart attack, stroke, coma, and other serious medical issues. It is important to be aware of the signs of an overdose on Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin Overdose can occur in various ways. For example, someone may overdose due to the fact that they don't remember to take a dose re-supplement. They may also consume other substances that could interact with the drug and enhance its effects or they may be using it for recreational purposes and aren't aware of how to dose it properly. Long-term Ritalin usage can lead to tolerance and psychological dependence that could lead to addiction. Therefore people with a history of abusing stimulants or other drugs should only take Ritalin under the supervision of a medical professional.
Anyone suffering from a Ritalin overdose should call 911 immediately. First responders should know the dosage, when it was taken and if they've consumed any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will be able to better decide on the best way to treat the patient. They will usually use the stomach pump (a procedure called gastriclavage) to remove any excess drug from the body before they are absorption into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures, and anyone who is who is experiencing these symptoms should be monitored by a medical professional. Fluids and antiseizure medication can be used to treat seizures. Activated charcoal can also be administered to the patient to prevent the drugs from entering their body. If they feel hot, the medical staff can cool them down using fans and mists of water in order to prevent hyperthermia.
If you've been prescribed Ritalin, store it in a location in a place where children aren't able to reach it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return program. Do not keep any expired or unneeded medication. Mix the medicine that is not used with ground coffee or cat litter and dispose of it.