Watch Out: How Best Medication For ADHD Is Taking Over And What We Can Do About It
Watch Out: How Best Medication For ADHD Is Taking Over And What We Can Do About It
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Best Medication For ADHD
Most children and teenagers who are taking ADHD medication find they concentrate better, are less impulsive, feel calmer and get on with their school work. Some experience a minor slowdown in growth and may have an increased blood pressure or heart rate when taking these medications.
There are a variety of medications such as tablets, liquids, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). The most popular stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It's available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine amphetamine, and dextroamphetamine with extended release.
Stimulants
One of the best medications for ADHD is a class known as stimulants. These drugs improve focus and attention by altering neurotransmitters, specifically norepinephrine and dopamine. These are the chemicals that regulate the pre-frontal cortex region which is often called the brain's "secretary" because it aids with planning and organizational abilities.
Stimulants are available in both short-acting and long-acting doses. The short-acting medicines peak within 30 to 45 minutes, and need to be taken two or three times per throughout the day. Amphetamines such as Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin, are among these. Amphétamines are stronger and last longer, but they both work similarly in improving concentration and attention. There are also extended-release versions of some stimulant medications. They are the best choice because they last for 8 to 12 hours and are more info usually taken once a day. Some of these are powders that you mix with liquids to make beverages, while some are pills.
Finding the right medication may take some time. Your doctor will monitor how you respond to the different kinds of drugs and adjust the dosage as needed. The use of medicines should be a part of a complete treatment plan that includes support and behavioral therapy.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a bit longer to work, but it can help you feel in control, improve your concentration and impulsivity, and improve your focus. These medications do not affect dopamine or norepinephrine the same way stimulants do. They can therefore be employed for a longer duration. These medications can also have less side effects, such as constipation, heartburn and reduced sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these drugs that was approved by FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of selective reuptake. Your doctor might prescribe guanfacine, also known as Intuniv or clonidine, which are both drugs in this class.
Non-stimulant, off-label antidepressants are also available to treat ADHD. These are older medications within the tricyclic antidepressant family, like Tofranil (imipramine). Doctors only recommend these drugs when stimulants and other non-stimulants aren't working or cause too many side consequences.
Viloxazine and atomoxetine are prescribed by your physician. These drugs don't have immediate effects however they can help reduce the tendency to be impulsive and improve concentration over time. They're in a different class from the other choices and may cause certain side effects like shaky hands or headache. Your doctor might also recommend the use of a small dose of an antidepressant called bupropion (Wellbutrin), which is not a FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but works well to increase concentration and reduce impulsivity. It can have some unpleasant but usually not severe, side effects, like hearing ringing or changes in vision.