20 Fun Informational Facts About Best Medication For ADHD
20 Fun Informational Facts About Best Medication For ADHD
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Best Medication For ADHD
The majority of children and teens who take ADHD medication report that they focus better and are less impulsive. They feel calmer and more focused with their schoolwork. Some suffer a slight slowdown in growth and may have an increased blood pressure or heart rate while taking these medicines.
The medications are available in a variety of forms including tablets, capsules liquid, patches and pills (such as Daytrana). The most popular stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It comes in three forms: immediate-release extended-release and sustained-release.
Stimulants
One of the best medications for ADHD is a class called stimulants. These medications improve concentration and attention by altering neurotransmitters, especially norepinephrine and dopamine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, often called the "secretary of the brain" because it helps in organizing and planning skills.
Stimulants are available in short- and long-acting doses. The short-acting drugs peak within 30 to 45 minutes and have to be taken two or three times per throughout the day. These include methylphenidates like Ritalin and Concerta amphetamines such as Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphetamines can be more potent and last longer than methylphenidates, however, they both function in the same way to improve concentration and attention. There are extended-release versions of some stimulant drugs. These can be a better alternative since they last from 8 to 12 hours and are usually taken once per day. Some of these medications are powders that you mix with liquid to make drinks, while others are pills.
It can take time to determine the appropriate medication for you or your child. Your doctor will observe how you react to different kinds of drugs and alter the dosage as required. The use of medications should be a part of a complete treatment plan that includes support and behavioral therapy.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a more time to work, but it can help you feel more in control, improve your concentration and impulsivity and increase your focus. These medications do not affect dopamine or norepinephrine the same way stimulants do. They can therefore be utilized for a longer period of time. They also have less side effects, such as constipation, heartburn and reduced sex drive. The first medication to be approved by the FDA to treat ADHD is called Strattera and is an inhibitor of the selective norepinephrine reuptake process. Your doctor might prescribe guanfacine. It is also known as Intuniv or clonidine. These are both medications within this category.
There are also antidepressants that are not stimulant that can be prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. These older tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil(imipramine), are used to treat ADHD. Doctors will only recommend these medications when stimulants and other non-stimulants fail to work or cause too many side negative effects.
Viloxazine and atomoxetine are prescribed by your physician. These drugs do not have a direct effect however they can help reduce the impulsivity of people and increase concentration over time. They're in a different category than the other options and can trigger some adverse effects, such as headaches or shaky hands. Your doctor might also suggest a low-dose antidepressant, bupropion (Wellbutrin), that is not FDA approved for ADHD treatment, but can improve concentration and reduce the impulsivity. It can cause some unpleasant but not always serious side effects such as website hearing loss or changes in vision.