ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medication that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It improves brain communication, which decreases ADHD.
ADHD medication can have side effects such as a diminished appetite and trouble sleeping. However, most of these are mild and will go away by themselves or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for a long time. It is considered to be safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the supervision of a physician.
However, there are reports of misuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic doses. Physicians must determine each patient's risk and monitor the symptoms throughout treatment. It is essential to inform patients as well as their family members about the dangers of taking medications that are not used and the need to appropriately get rid of them. It is best to utilize a locked medicine box, which prevents children from taking unneeded medication. It is also recommended to instruct patients not to share the medication with anyone.
This medication could trigger suicidal thoughts, or actions especially in those who are depressed, bipolar or have a history of mental illness. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure that could lead to strokes or heart problems. If you feel chest pain, a rapid heartbeat or excessive sweating contact your doctor immediately. Inform your doctor if you have is any family history of heart disease, sudden death or having suffered an accident or suffered from bleeding issues. This medication could alter your blood circulation and cause the sensation of numbness or pain to your toes or fingers. It can also make it hard to fall asleep.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version of this medicine is more efficient than the generic version. Many doctors still prefer the brand-name version due to its effectiveness and safety. The medication is a risk for abuse, and should not be prescribed to anyone who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some claim that this medication is more effective than other. However it is merely anecdotal evidence and has not yet been scientifically proven. Some parents have said that their children react differently to name-brand versus generic methylphenidate, but this isn't necessarily the case for all children.
Side effects
When you are first starting medication to treat ADHD it takes a bit of time to determine the appropriate dosage. A doctor will be able to monitor the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments to determine the most effective medication. These powerful medicines can cause adverse reactions that range from irritability, sleep problems and serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a drug that contains the active ingredient methylphenidate. It is a central nervous system stimulant. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also improves your concentration and decreases anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin can cause serious heart issues, including strokes and sudden deaths in patients who suffer from certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disorders and high blood pressure as well as an underlying cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin, like other stimulant medications can cause weight loss and a decrease in appetite. It may also increase your child's pulse rate and blood pressure. This could be a concern if you have a preexisting heart condition or have heart problems and your doctor will keep close check on your heart rate and blood pressure.
adhd without medication include anxiety and depression. They can also impact behavior that can be particularly difficult for young children taking the drug. In some instances, it may cause tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which is repetitive actions and sounds like eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow growth for children and teens. However, this is usually temporary and doesn't affect their final height.
The medication is available in a variety of forms, but only with a prescription. The medication can be taken as a tablet, which is chewed, dissolving or swallowed. It can also come in the form of a capsule, which is opened and sprinkled over liquid or food items. Some people make use of an ingredient that acts quickly and lasts between three and six hours. Others take it long-term which requires an increased dose.
This medication can interact with certain other drugs like monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It can also increase your your child's risk of a potentially fatal side effect, angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications interact with other substances or drugs. This can alter their effects. Certain interactions can be harmful, even deadly. Tell your doctor what other medications you or your child take, including supplements and vitamins, as well as prescription medications. Ritalin can interact with other antidepressants. This is particularly true for those that contain monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and actions or hallucinations, seizures, or even seizures. Ritalin should not be used by people who have issues with circulation, such as Raynaud's phenomenon or high blood pressure. It can also worsen symptoms in people with Tourette syndrome and tics.
Certain fMRI studies have shown that a high dose of 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 also accompanied by normalization of the reduced activation in the same regions under the placebo and off-medicament conditions.
These results suggest that methylphenidate improves performance in the tasks of stopping and timing discrimination by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Other fMRI and behavior data suggest the mechanism is more complex than increased norepinephrine and dopamine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to hinder the reuptake process of dopamine in some regions, like the striatum, but not in other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In adhd and depression medication , a mixture of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased ADHD-like symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some patients, however, the combination didn't perform as effectively as a single medication. There is no one-stop treatment for ADHD, and most people do not need them to live with the disorder. Behavior therapy and skills training can assist many people in learning better coping strategies.
Clinical trials have not confirmed that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both medications are chemically the same, so they should both have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also called Ritalin) is a central nerve system stimulant. It can improve mood, focus, and concentration when taken as prescribed. It can also be effective in treating narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and ADD. Overdose is a possibility with any substance that alters brain function. This can result in heart attack, stroke and coma as well as other serious medical issues. Recognizing the signs of a Ritalin overdose is vital to preventing these symptoms and taking the appropriate steps to seek medical assistance.
A Ritalin overdose can result from a variety of reasons. Someone may accidentally take too many pills because they forgot to refill their prescription. Other substances may interact with the drug, causing its effects, or they may be using it for recreational purposes, without knowing how to do it. Furthermore, long-term use of Ritalin can lead to dependence and tolerance which can lead to addiction. Therefore those with a history of abusing stimulants or other drugs should only use Ritalin under the supervision of a physician.
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 have taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will be able to more accurately determine the best treatment for the patient. Typically, they will pump the stomach, a procedure known as gastric lavage, which is used to eliminate any excess substance from the body prior to it can be taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical professionals. They can be treated by taking fluids and anti-seizure medication. In addition, the person might be given activated charcoal to stop any further substance from entering the body. The hospital staff may cool the patient with fans or mists of cool water if they feel hot.
If you're given Ritalin ensure that you keep it in a secure location where children cannot reach it. Ask your pharmacist if they have a drug-return program. Also, don't keep any expired or unusable medication. Instead, mix the unused medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and dispose of it.