ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It works by improving the way the parts of the brain communicate, which reduces ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can have negative side effects like diminished appetite and trouble sleeping. However, most of these are minor and disappear on their own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and other neurotransmitters within the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used for decades. It is considered safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the guidance of your physician.
However there are reports of misuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at the therapeutic dosage level. Therefore, physicians need to assess each patient for risk and observe these symptoms throughout treatment. It is important to inform patients and their family members of the dangers of taking medications that are not used and the need to properly dispose of them. A locked medicine box is ideal, as this keeps children from gaining access and consuming doses that are not used. It is also recommended to instruct patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication can cause suicidal thoughts or feelings, particularly in people who are bipolar or depressed or have a mental health history. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately. This medication may also raise your blood pressure, which could cause stroke or heart problems. If you feel chest pain, a rapid heartbeat or excessive sweating, contact your doctor immediately. Also tell your doctor if you have a family history of heart disease or sudden death or if you've previously suffered any type of bleeding issue or stroke. This medication can alter your blood circulation, causing discomfort or numbness in your toes or fingers. It can also make it hard to fall asleep.
It isn't known whether the brand-name version of the product is more efficient than its generic counterpart. However many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version because of its proven safety and effectiveness. This medication is susceptible to abuse and should not be given to anyone who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some claim that this medication is more effective than other. However this is only anecdotal evidence, and has not yet been scientifically verified. Some parents have reported that their children respond differently to name-brand versus generic methylphenidate, however this isn't necessarily the case for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to find the appropriate dose when you start medication to treat ADHD. A doctor will be able to monitor the body reactions of your child or yourself and make adjustments to determine the most effective treatment. These powerful medications can trigger side effects ranging from sleep issues, irritability and severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin has the active ingredient methylphenidate, and is a central nervous system stimulant. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can cause serious heart problems, including strokes and sudden deaths for patients with certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disorders and high blood pressure and the possibility of cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications, Ritalin can cause a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It may also increase the rate of your child's pulse and blood pressure. This can be a problem when you have a prior heart condition or heart problems and your doctor will be on check on your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include anxiety as well as depression. These side effects can also affect children's behavior, which can be particularly difficult for children who are young. In certain instances it can trigger symptoms such as tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which are repetitive actions and sounds like eye blinking or throat clearing. It can also cause a slowing of growth for children and teens. However this is usually only temporary and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
This medication is available in a variety of forms, but only by prescription. It could be a tablet swallowed, chewed on or dissolved or a capsule that is open and sprinkled onto food items or a liquid. Some people take an instant-acting formulation that lasts for about three to six hours, while others take it long-term and require an increased dose.
This medication may interact with certain other drugs like monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It may also increase your your child's risk of developing a potentially fatal side effect, called angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications interact with other drugs or substances. This can alter their effects. Some interactions can be dangerous or even fatal. Tell your doctor what other medications you and your child are taking, including supplements and vitamins, as well as prescription drugs. Ritalin can interact with other antidepressants. This is particularly the case for those with monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This can cause serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts and actions, seizures, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for people with circulatory problems like Raynaud's phenomenon or high blood pressure. It can also worsen symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics for those with these conditions.
Some fMRI studies have found that an acute dose of methylphenidate for medication responders during time discrimination and stop tasks enhanced activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial prefrontal cortex (MPC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation during the placebo and off-medication states in the same regions.
These results suggest that methylphenidate improves performance in stop and timing discrimination tasks by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. However, other research on fMRI and behavior suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, specifically, seem to hinder dopamine reuptake process in certain regions such as the striatum, but not in other areas like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination of stimulants and non-stimulants helped reduce ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in a few patients the combination did not perform as well as the single drug. The majority of people don't require medication to cope with ADHD. Many people can develop better ways to cope through therapy for behavior and training.
A few people have reported that name-brand Ritalin is more efficient than generic Ritalin however this hasn't been proven by clinical trials. Both medications are chemically identical, and they are likely to have the same effect on a majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is a stimulant of the central nervous system. It can enhance mood, focus and concentration when taken as prescribed. It can also be effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. Overdose is a possibility with any substance that alters brain function. This can lead to stroke, heart attack, coma, and other serious medical issues. Being aware of the symptoms of a Ritalin overdose is crucial to the prevention of these symptoms and taking the necessary steps to seek medical assistance.
A Ritalin overdose can result from a variety of reasons. Someone may accidentally take too many pills because they forgot to take a dose retake. They might also consume other substances that may affect the drug and increase its effects or they may be using it recreationally and not know how to dose it correctly. Long-term Ritalin use can result in tolerance and a psychological dependency that can lead addiction. As a result those with a history of abusing stimulants or other drugs should only use Ritalin under the supervision of a physician.
Call 911 immediately if are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should be aware of the dose, the time it was taken, and if they have consumed any other drugs or substances. best adhd medication for adults uk can determine the best course of action to do to help the patient. Typically, they will pump the stomach, which is known as gastric lavage, to remove any excess substance from the body prior to it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures. Anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical professionals. Fluids and antiseizure medication are a way to treat seizures. Activated charcoal can also be given to the patient to prevent the drugs from entering the body. If they are feeling hot, the hospital staff can cool them down with fans and mists of water in order to prevent hyperthermia.
If you're prescribed Ritalin be sure to keep it in a secure location where children cannot reach it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return program. Don't keep expired or unneeded medication. Mix the medicine that is not used with cat litter or ground coffee and dispose of it.