ADHD Medication Ritalin: The Ugly Truth About ADHD Medication Ritalin
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It works by improving brain communication, which can reduce ADHD.
ADHD medication can cause negative side effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, the majority of these are minor and will go away on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are vital neurotransmitters that are responsible for regulating motivation, action, and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used for a long time and is considered to be safe when taken in the recommended dosages administered under the supervision of a physician.
However, there are reports of misuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic dosage levels. Doctors must evaluate the risk for each patient and monitor symptoms throughout the treatment. It is crucial to inform patients and relatives about the dangers of not using medications and the need to properly dispose of them. Using a locked medication box is a good idea, since it will stop children from accessing and consuming doses that are not used. It is also a good idea to advise patients not to share this medication with anyone.
This medication could trigger suicidal thoughts, or actions particularly in those who are depressed, bipolar, or have an history of mental illness. Discuss with your doctor right now if you exhibit any of these symptoms. This medication may also cause an increase in blood pressure which can cause strokes or heart issues. Contact your doctor immediately when you experience a high heart rate, chest pain, or sweating. Also, inform your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have previously suffered any type of bleeding or stroke. This medication may cause numbness and pain in your feet or fingers. It can also make sleep difficult.
It isn't known if the brand-name version is more efficient than its generic counterpart. However many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version due its proven safety and effectiveness. It is important to note that this medication is a risk to misused and should not be given to someone who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some claim that this medication is more effective than other. However it is merely anecdotal evidence that is not yet scientifically verified. Some parents have said that their children react differently to name-brand versus generic methylphenidate. However, this isn't necessarily the case for every child.
Side effects
When you begin medication to treat ADHD it takes some time to find the right dosage. A healthcare professional will observe your child's body reactions and adjust until they find the most effective treatment. These medicines are extremely effective and can have side effects, from irritability and sleep disorders to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a nerve system stimulant that has methylphenidate as the active ingredient. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, which are chemicals that aid in control and attention. It also improves concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can cause serious heart problems, such as sudden death and stroke in those with certain medical conditions, like heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure and an history of heart attack or cardiovascular disease.
Similar to other stimulant drugs, Ritalin can result in a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It can also slightly increase the rate of your child's pulse and blood pressure. If you have heart problems or a pre-existing condition Your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other side effects include anxiety and depression. They can also affect behavior which is particularly difficult for children who are taking the drug. In some cases, it may cause symptoms such as tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which is repetitive movements and sounds, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. It can also cause a slowing of growth in children and teenagers. However it is usually temporary and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
medications for adhd uk is available in a variety of forms, but only by prescription. It can be a tablet swallowed, chewed on or dissolved or a capsule that is open and sprinkled onto food items or a liquid. Some people make use of the formula that has a short-acting effect and lasts between three and six hours. Others take it long-term, which requires a higher dose.
This medication may interact with other drugs like monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It may also increase your or your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, called angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other substances or drugs. This can alter their effects. Some interactions can be dangerous and even fatal. It is important to inform your doctor about all the other medications you or your child taking, including prescription drugs and supplements and vitamins. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, specifically those that contain monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This can lead to serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended by those who suffer from circulatory problems such as Raynaud's phenomena or high blood pressure. It may also aggravate symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in those with these conditions.
Certain fMRI studies have shown that an acute dose of methylphenidate for medication responders during time discrimination and stop tasks enhanced activation in 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 with normalization of the reduced activation in the same regions during non-medicament and placebo conditions.
These results suggest that methylphenidate can improve performance in tasks of stop and timing discrimination by increasing extracellular norepinephrine and dopamine. Other fMRI and behavioral data suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than increased norepinephrine and dopamine. Psychostimulants, in particular, appear to block the reuptake of dopamine in some regions, like the striatum, but not other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased ADHD-like symptoms in children who had moderate to severe cases. In some patients however, the combination didn't perform as well as one medication. There is no one-stop treatment for ADHD, and most people do not need them to live with the disorder. Training in skills and behavior therapy can help a lot of people develop more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
A few people have reported that name-brand Ritalin is more effective than the generic version, but this has not been confirmed by clinical studies. The two medications are chemically similar, which means they are likely to have the same effect on a majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate is also known as Ritalin, is a central nervous system stimulant that can improve concentration, focus and mood 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 could lead to heart attack, stroke, or coma. Being aware of signs of an Ritalin overdose is vital to the prevention of these symptoms and taking step to seek medical attention.
A Ritalin Overdose can happen in many ways. For example, someone may accidentally take too much because they do not remember to take a dose re-supplement. They may also consume other substances that can affect the drug and enhance its effects, or they might be using it for recreational purposes and not know how to properly dose it. Furthermore, long-term use of Ritalin could lead to tolerance and psychological dependence that could lead to addiction. Ritalin is not recommended by those who have an addiction history.
Patients suffering from a Ritalin overdose should dial 911 immediately. First responders should be aware of the dose, when it was taken and if they've taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will determine the best course of action to do to help the patient. In general, they will pump the stomach, a process known as gastric lavage, which is used to eliminate any excess drug from the body before it can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical experts. Fluids and antiseizure medications are a way to treat them. Activated charcoal is also given to the patient in order to stop the drug from entering the body. If they are feeling hot, the hospital staff can cool them down with fans and mists of water to avoid hyperthermia.
If you've been prescribed Ritalin put it in a location that is secure and where children cannot access it. You can also ask your pharmacist about a take-back program. Do not keep any expired or unused medication. Instead, mix the unneeded medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and dispose of it.