ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant drug that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It improves brain communication, which can reduce ADHD.
ADHD medication can cause adverse effects, like reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. Most of these side effects are minor and will go away by themselves or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase 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 many years and is considered to be safe when taken in the recommended dosages taken under the guidance by a physician.
However, there have been reports of addiction and abuse when the drug is administered at therapeutic doses. Physicians must determine the risk of each patient and monitor symptoms throughout the treatment. It is crucial to inform patients and their family members about the dangers of taking medications that are not used and the need to appropriately get rid of them. Using a locked medication box is ideal since it will stop children from accessing and accidentally taking unused doses. It is also a great idea to remind patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts or actions particularly in those who are depressed, bipolar, or have a history of mental illness. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure that can cause strokes or heart problems. If you feel chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating, contact your doctor immediately. Inform your doctor if you have is an ancestor with a history of heart disease, sudden death, or any time you've had bleeding or stroke issues. This medication may cause numbness and discomfort in your toes or fingers. It can also make it difficult to sleep.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version of this medicine is more efficient than the generic version. However many doctors prefer the brand-name version due to its proven safety and effectiveness. It is also important to remember that this medication is a risk to abused and should never be administered 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 that is not yet scientifically proven. Some parents report that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate versus name-brand, but this may not be true for all children.
Side effects
When you are first starting medication to treat ADHD it takes a bit of time to determine the appropriate dose. A healthcare professional will observe the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments in order to find the best medication. These medicines are powerful and can cause side effects, from irritability and sleep problems to severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a nerve system stimulant that has methylphenidate as the active ingredient. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, chemicals associated control and attention. It also increases concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin may cause serious heart problems, including stroke and sudden death, for those suffering from certain medical conditions, like heart rhythm disorders as well as high blood pressure and an history of cardiovascular disease or cardiac arrest.
Like other stimulant medications, Ritalin can cause a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It can also increase your your child's blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. This could be a problem when you have a prior heart condition or other heart issues as a result, so your doctor will be on eye on your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include anxiety as well as depression. These side effects can affect children's behavior, which can be particularly difficult for children who are still young. In certain instances, it may cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm) which are repetitive sounds or movements, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow growth in children and adolescents. This is usually temporary and doesn't affect their final height.
There are many kinds of this medication which are available by prescription only. The medication is available as a tablet, which is chewed, dissolved or swallowed. It may also be available in the form of a capsule which is opened and sprinkled on liquid or food items. Some people use a formula that is short-acting and lasts between three and six hours. Others prefer it to be long-term, which requires more dosage.
This medication can interact with certain other drugs like monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It may also increase your or your child's risk of developing a potentially fatal side effect, such as angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications have the potential to interact with other medications and substances, which could alter their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful and even life-threatening. Tell your doctor what other medications you and your child are taking, including supplements and vitamins, as well as prescription drugs. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants. This is particularly the case for those with monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This can lead to serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and behaviors as well as hallucinations, seizures, and seizures. Ritalin is not recommended by those with circulatory problems such as Raynaud's phenomenon or high blood pressure. It may also cause more symptoms for those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
Certain fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose of methylphenidate in medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks enhanced activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) and medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the striatum. These changes were accompanied by normalization of the subactivation in the same regions under the placebo and off-medicament conditions.
These results show that methylphenidate enhances 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 complex than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to hinder the reuptake process of dopamine in certain areas, like the striatum, but not other areas, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix between stimulants and nonstimulants reduced ADHD-like symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in certain patients, the combination did not perform as well as the single drug. Medications are not the only treatment for ADHD and the majority of people do not require medication to manage the disorder. adhd medication side effects in skills and behavior therapy can help many people learn better coping strategies.
Clinical trials have not confirmed that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both drugs are chemically the identical, and therefore should both have the same effects on a majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is a central nerve system stimulant. It can boost mood, focus and concentration when taken as prescribed. It has also been shown to be effective in treating ADD/ADHD as well as narcolepsy. But, as with any drug that alters the brain, if misused or taken in large quantities, an overdoses can happen. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, or coma. It is important to be aware of the signs of an overdose on Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical attention.
A Ritalin Overdose can happen in a variety of ways. For instance, a person could have a mishap and take too much medication because they forget to re-dose their medication. Other substances may interact with the drug to enhance its effects, or they may be using it recreationally and not know how to dose it. Long-term Ritalin use can result in tolerance and a psychological dependence that could lead to addiction. Therefore people with an history of using stimulants or other drugs should only take Ritalin under the supervision of a doctor.
Patients suffering from a Ritalin overdose should dial 911 immediately. First responders should be aware of the dosage, when it was taken, and if they have consumed any other medications or substances. The emergency response team can then better determine what to do to treat the person. In general, they will pump the stomach, which is known as gastric lavage, to remove any excess drugs from the body before it can be taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures, and anyone who is suffering from these symptoms should be monitored by a medical professional. They can be treated with fluids and anti-seizure medications. In addition, the patient might be given activated charcoal to block any more of the substance from entering the body. The hospital staff can cool the patient down with fans or mists cooled water if they feel hot.
If you are prescribed Ritalin, make sure to store it in a safe place where children are not able to reach it. You can also ask your pharmacist for a take-back program. Don't keep expired or unused medication. Instead, mix the unneeded medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and dispose of it.