Best Medication For ADHD
The majority of children and teens who take ADHD medication find they concentrate better, are less impulsive, feel calmer and more focused with their school work. Some sufferers may experience a slowdown in their growth, or an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure while taking these medications.
Medications are available in different forms including tablets, capsules liquid, patches and pills (such as Daytrana). The most popular stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It's available in immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release amphetamine, and dextroamphetamine with extended release.
Stimulants
Stimulants are one of the classes of drugs that are effective in treating ADHD. These drugs aid in improving attention and focus by affecting certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, often referred to by the term "secretary of the brain" because it helps in planning and organization skills.
adhd medication uk come in short- and long-acting doses. The short-acting medicines are most effective between 30 and 45 minutes and should be taken twice or three times per day. Amphetamines such as Adderall and Dexedrine, and methylphenidates like Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin, are among these. Amphetamines may be a bit more potent and last longer than methylphenidates, however they work in the same way to improve attention and focus. There are extended-release versions of a few stimulant drugs. They are a good option since they last between up to 12 hours, and are usually taken once per day. Some of these medicines are a powder that is mixed with liquid to create a drink, while others are pills.
It can take time to find the right medication for you or your child. Your doctor will be able to monitor your reaction to different kinds of medication and alter the dosage if needed. Drugs should only be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, which should include a combination of behavioral therapy and support services.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a more time to work, but it can help you feel more in control, increase your impulsivity and concentration and increase your focus. These medications do not affect norepinephrine or dopamine the same way stimulants do. They are therefore able to be utilized for a longer period of time. They can also have fewer side effects, such as heartburn, constipation and a decreased sex drive. Strattera is the first of these medications that was approved by FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of the selective reuptake of norepinephrine. Your doctor could prescribe additional medicines from this class which include guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay).
Non-stimulant antidepressants that are off-label can also be prescribed to treat ADHD. These are older medications within the tricyclic antidepressant family such as Tofranil (imipramine). These medications are only prescribed by doctors when stimulants or other non-stimulants fail to work, or if they cause too many side effects.
Your doctor may prescribe Atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medications do not have a direct effect 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 may cause some adverse effects, such as shaking hands or headaches. Your doctor may also suggest taking a low dose of an antidepressant known as bupropion (Wellbutrin) that isn't an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but works well to improve concentration and decrease the impulsivity. It can trigger some uncomfortable but not always serious side effects such as the ringing of your ears or changes in your vision.