ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It works by improving the way the parts of the brain communicate, thereby reducing ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can cause adverse effects, like reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, the majority of these are minor and will go away by themselves or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are key neurotransmitters that are responsible for regulating motivation, action, and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for decades. It is considered to be safe when you take it in the prescribed dosages under the guidance of your doctor.
However there are reports of the abuse of this drug as well as reports of addiction even at therapeutic doses. Physicians must assess the risk for each patient and monitor their symptoms throughout the treatment. It is also important to educate the patient and their family members on this risk of harm and the need for proper disposal of any unneeded medication. Using a locked medication box is a good idea, since it keeps children from gaining access and accidentally taking unused doses. It's also a great idea to inform 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 illness history. Consult your doctor away if you have any of these symptoms. This medication may also raise your blood pressure, which could cause stroke or heart problems. If you feel chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating consult your physician immediately. Also tell your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death or if you've ever suffered from any kind of bleeding or stroke. This medication could affect blood circulation and cause the sensation of numbness or pain to your toes or fingers. It can also make it hard to fall asleep.
simply click the following internet site is not clear whether the brand-name version of this medicine is more effective than the generic version. However, many doctors prefer the brand-name version due its proven safety and effectiveness. This medication is susceptible to abuse, and should not be administered to anyone who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people believe that this medication is more effective than others. However, this is only anecdotal evidence, and is not yet scientifically proved. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to generic and name-brand methylphenidate. However, this is not necessarily true for all children.
Side effects
When you begin medication to treat ADHD it takes a bit of time to find the proper dose. A healthcare provider will monitor the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments to find the most effective medication. These powerful medications can cause adverse effects that range from sleep issues, irritability and even severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin has the active ingredient methylphenidate. It is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as dopamine, chemical compounds that are associated with control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can trigger serious heart problems, including strokes and sudden deaths in those who suffer from certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure, as well as a history or cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin as with other stimulant medications can cause weight loss and a decrease in appetite. It may also raise your or your child's blood pressure and pulse rate little. If you suffer from heart problems or a pre-existing health condition your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. They can also affect behavior which is particularly difficult for children who are just starting to take the medication. In some cases it can cause tics or TouretteaEURtm(tm) which are repeated sounds or movements like eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also cause a slowing of growth in teenagers and children. This is usually temporary and does not affect their final height.
There are a variety of types of this medication, that are available on prescription only. The medication is available as a tablet, which is chewed, dissolving or swallowed. It can also come in the form of a capsule which is opened and sprinkled on food or liquid. Some people make use of the formula that has a short-acting effect and lasts between three and six hours. Others prefer it to be long-term which requires more dosage.
This medication may interact with other medications, such as antidepressants and monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication may increase the chance of developing angle closure glaucoma, a potentially deadly adverse side result.
Interactions
Many medications have the potential to interact with other medications and substances, which can alter their effects. Certain interactions can be harmful and even fatal. Discuss with your doctor the other medications you or your child are taking, including vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter medications. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants. This is particularly true for those that contain monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. This could cause serious side effects, such as suicidal ideas or seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended by those with circulatory problems such as Raynaud's phenomena or high blood pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms in people with Tourette syndrome and tics.
A few fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose methylphenidate given to medication responders during stop-and-time discrimination tasks boosted the activity of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial cingulate cortex, anterior cingulate (ACC) and the striatum. These changes were accompanied with normalization of the reduced activation in the same regions under non-medicament and placebo conditions.
These results support 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 increased dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, in particular, appear to hinder the reuptake process of dopamine in some areas, such as the striatum, but not in other areas, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix between stimulants and nonstimulants reduced ADHD-like symptoms in children who had moderate to severe cases. In some patients, the combination did not perform as well as one medication. Most people don't require medication to manage ADHD. Training in skills and behavior therapy can help many people learn better coping strategies.
A few people have reported that brand-name Ritalin is more effective than the generic form, but this has not been confirmed by clinical trials. Both drugs are chemically the identical, and therefore should both have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate more commonly referred to as Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that can improve concentration, focus, and mood when used according to the prescription. It can also be effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. However, like all substances that alters the brain, if misused or used in large amounts, overdose can occur. This can lead to stroke, heart attack, coma, and other serious medical issues. It is essential to recognize the signs of an overdose on Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical attention.
A Ritalin overdose can result from a variety of causes. Someone may accidentally take too many pills due to the fact that they did not remember to refill their prescription. They could also be taking other substances that can affect the drug and enhance its effects or they may be using it recreationally and not know how to properly dose it. Additionally, long-term use of Ritalin can result in tolerance and psychological dependence which can lead to addiction. Therefore people with an history of using stimulants or other drugs should only use Ritalin under the supervision of a doctor.
People who are suffering from a Ritalin overdose should dial 911 immediately. They should be able to provide the first responders with details about their dosage, when they used it, and the other medications or substances they took. The emergency response team will be able to more accurately determine the best treatment for the patient. They typically pump the stomach (a procedure known as gastriclavage) to eliminate any excess drugs from the body before they are taken up by the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical experts. They can be treated by taking fluids and anti-seizure medications. Activated charcoal can also be administered to the patient in order to stop the drug from circulating into the body. The hospital staff can cool the patient down with fans or mists cool water if they feel hot.
If you're given Ritalin be sure to store it in a safe location where children cannot reach it. You can also ask your pharmacist about a drug take-back program. Don't keep any expired or unusable medication. Instead, mix the unused medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and dispose of it.