9 Things Your Parents Taught You About ADHD Medication Ritalin
Wiki Article
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It works by improving brain communication, which reduces ADHD.
ADHD medications can cause side effects, such as sleepiness and a lack of appetite. The majority of these side effects are minor and will disappear on their o own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for decades and is believed to be safe in recommended dosages when administered under the supervision by a physician.
However there have been instances of addiction and abuse when the drug is administered at therapeutic doses. Physicians must assess the risk for each patient and monitor their symptoms throughout the treatment. It is also important to educate patients and their families about the dangers and the need for proper disposal of any unneeded medication. A locked medicine box is ideal since it keeps children from gaining access and taking doses that are not needed. It is also recommended to instruct patients not to share this medication with anyone.
This medication could trigger suicidal thoughts or actions, especially in people who are bipolar, depressed or have an history of mental illness. Discuss with your doctor right immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. This medication can also raise your blood pressure, which could cause stroke or heart problems. If you experience chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, or excessive sweating, consult your physician immediately. Inform your doctor if there is an ancestor with a history of heart disease, sudden death or any time you've had an accident or suffered from bleeding issues. This medication could affect your blood circulation and cause discomfort or numbness in your fingers or toes. It can also make it difficult to sleep.
It is not known if the brand-name version is more effective than its generic counterpart. However, many doctors prefer the brand-name version due to its safety record and effectiveness. It is important to note that this medication can be misused and should never be administered to anyone who isn't suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people have reported that this medication performs better than others, however this is only anecdotal and has not been proven scientifically. Some parents have reported that their children respond differently to generic versus name-brand methylphenidate, however this is not necessarily true for every child.
Side effects
When you begin medication to treat ADHD it takes some time to find the proper dosage. A doctor will be able to monitor your child's body reactions and make adjustments until they can find the most effective dosage. These medications are potent and may cause adverse effects, ranging from irritability to sleep problems to severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate and is an stimulant to the central nervous system. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, chemical compounds that are associated with control and attention. It also increases concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can cause serious heart issues, including strokes and sudden deaths for people who suffer from certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure and an underlying cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin like other stimulant medications can cause weight loss and a decrease in appetite. It can also slightly increase the rate of your child's pulse and blood pressure. If you have heart issues or a pre-existing health condition your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other side effects include anxiety as well as depression. These side effects can also affect children's behavior, which is particularly challenging for children who are still young. In some instances, it can cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm) which are repeated sounds or movements, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow growth in adolescents and children. However it is usually temporary and doesn't affect their final height.
There are many types of this medication, that are available with a prescription only. It could be a tablet that's swallowed, chewed on or dissolved, a capsule that is opened and sprinkled on food or a liquid. Some people take a formula that acts in a short time and lasts from three to six hours, whereas others take it for a longer time and require an increased dose.
This medication could interact with other medications such as antidepressants or monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication may increase the risk of glaucoma caused by angle closure which is a potentially fatal adverse side consequence.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other drugs or substances. This can alter the effects of their actions. Certain interactions could be harmful and even life-threatening. Discuss with your doctor the other medications you and your child are taking, including vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter medications. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, particularly those that contain monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin should not be used by those who suffer from circulatory problems such as Raynaud's phenomenon or high blood pressure. It can also cause the onset of Tourette syndrome or tics for those who suffer from these conditions.
Some fMRI studies have found that an acute dose of methylphenidate read more in medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks increased activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) and medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation in placebo and off-medication conditions in the same regions.
These results support that methylphenidate improves performance in tasks of stop and timing discrimination by increasing extracellular norepinephrine and dopamine. However, additional studies of fMRI and behavioral evidence suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to hinder the reuptake process of dopamine in certain regions, like the striatum, but not others, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some cases the combination did not work like a single medication. The majority of people don't require medication to manage ADHD. Many people are able to develop more effective ways to cope with the disorder through behavior therapy and skill training.
Some people anecdotally report that brand-name Ritalin is more effective than the generic form however this hasn't 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 (also called Ritalin) is a central nerve system stimulant. It can enhance mood, focus and concentration when taken as prescribed. It has also been shown to be effective in treating ADD/ADHD and Narcolepsy. It is possible to overdose with any substance that alters brain function. This could lead to stroke, heart attack, or even coma. It is important to identify the signs of an overdose on Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical care.
A Ritalin Overdose can occur in a variety of ways. One could accidentally take too many pills because they did not remember to redose their medication. They might also consume other substances that may affect the drug and increase its effect or they may be using it for recreational purposes and not know how to properly dose it. Long-term Ritalin usage can cause tolerance and psychological dependence that can lead to addiction. Ritalin is not recommended by those with an addiction history.
Call 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. They must be able to provide the emergency personnel with details about the dosage, the time they took it, and what other medications or substances they took. The emergency response team will then be able to better determine how to treat the patient. Typically, they pump the stomach, a process called gastric lavage, to eliminate any excess substance from the body prior to it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical professionals. They can be treated with fluids and anti-seizure medications. Additionally, the patient may be given activated charcoal to block any more of the drug from entering the body. The hospital staff may cool the patient with fans or mists of cool water if they feel hot.
If you are prescribed Ritalin ensure that you keep it in a secure place where children are not able to reach it. You can also ask your pharmacist about a take-back program. Lastly, do not keep any unused or expired medication. Instead, mix the unused medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and dispose of it.