ADHD Stimulant Medication
Stimulant drugs are the first line treatment for ADHD. They have a long record of a robust response, high tolerability and safety across the life span.
It is crucial to find a medication and dosage that can ease your child's or your own symptoms without causing adverse consequences. This can take a lot trial and error as well as a constant dialogue with your doctor.
Stimulants
Stimulants are drugs which increase the activity of the central nervous system. They are widely used as performance enhancement and cognitive enhancers by athletes, students as well as artists and workers. They are also used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as narcolepsy, binge eating disorder, as well as other anxiety disorders. Amphetamines and methylphenidates as well as other stimulant medications are among the most common.
FDA-approved prescription stimulants are available in extended-release and immediate-release formulas. The immediate-release medications are typically taken every 4 hours. They can trigger an abrupt, short-term drop in energy, referred to as a crash once they have worn off. The crash could cause severe hunger, mood swings, and fatigue. Immediate-release medications also can increase blood pressure and heart rate in certain people, particularly when they don't eat enough.
Extended-release medication is formulated to release active ingredients over a period of 8 to 16 hours. This type of medication may be prescribed by your doctor in case you're seeking long-lasting control of symptoms without having to take pills frequently throughout the day. Methylphenidate medications in the extended-release category include Ritalin, Concerta, and Focalin. Another alternative is the methylphenidate long-acting patch called Daytrana, which sticks to the skin like a bandage and lasts throughout the day. This type of medication is often prescribed to adults with ADHD who require a daily dose that lasts longer than the immediate-release options.
Stimulant medications don't treat ADHD, but they can help manage symptoms by improving the way neurons in the brain communicate with one other. By blocking or binding their receptors, they can alter the levels of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This allows the release of more neurotransmitters, which improves the transmission and reception of messages between neurons.
In addition to stimulants, doctors sometimes prescribe antidepressants to treat ADHD. The majority of antidepressants prescribed by doctors for ADHD work on the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors are an excellent choice for people suffering from depression or anxiety. These drugs are typically combined with stimulants to boost their effectiveness. Another reason your doctor might switch between non-stimulant and stimulant medication is if the previous medication isn't working or it produces unacceptably adverse side effects.
Long-acting
Stimulants help about 70%-80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. They can reduce symptoms such as the tendency to fidget and talk over others. They also enhance social skills and job performance.
The stimulant medication begins to work once it has crossed the blood-brain barriers, which takes 45-60 minutes. They increase the levels dopamine and Norepinephrine within brain cells, which decreases the amount of hyperactivity and impulseivity. The FDA-approved stimulant medication consists of one of two molecules, methylphenidate (Adderall Ritalin Vyvanse Concerta) or amphetamine, (Ritalin Adderall XR Vyvanse Vyvanse). Stimulants can cause side effects such as stomach upset and weight loss, an increase in heart rate and blood pressure as well as headaches, anxiety or nervousness. They can also cause tics to become worse and cause sleep issues in some people.
Long-acting stimulants (such as Strattera and Wellbutrin) are effective throughout the night and day unlike medications that last just for a couple of hours. They can also be employed to treat other conditions such as anxiety or depression.
The medications affect the way your body regulates monoamine oxidases. Monoamine oxidases, or enzymes, break down dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These chemicals stay in your body for longer if they're not broken down. This could affect your behavior and thinking. Long-acting medications can have fewer adverse effects. Your doctor will prescribe smaller doses, which you can take throughout the day.
Some stimulants are available in extended-release formulations that you take daily. This may be more convenient for some adults, but it's crucial to remember that you should take them daily.
Other medications have been proven to be effective for a lot of adults with ADHD such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are typically prescribed for anxiety or depression but can be prescribed for ADHD. Around 70% of people respond to these medications. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is a different SSRI that has been approved for ADHD and has been proven to be more efficient than placebos in a controlled study. These SSRIs can cause serious side effects, such as ringing in the ears anxiety, a change to vision and lung and heart function in some individuals.
Short-acting
The stimulant medication helps reduce ADHD symptoms by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain. These two chemicals help people control their behavior and focus. They are available in numerous varieties, and each has their own brand name such as Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin and Concerta. There are two major types of stimulant medications that are methylphenidates (such as methylphenidate) and the amphetamines (such as dextroamphetamine). medication for add adults have similar effects, however their duration of action is different. The methylphenidates can have a shorter-lasting effect lasting as long as three hours. Amphetamines on the other hand have a longer-lasting effect.
medication for add in adults are better able to tolerate long-acting stimulant medication than those with short-acting stimulants which is why your doctor may prescribe this type. It is crucial to know all you can about the drug and its potential side effects, how often it is recommended to take it and any warnings specific to the medication that should be followed. This will help you and your physician determine the best medication for you.
These medications can also cause adverse side effects, such as difficulty sleeping or a decrease in appetite. If these occur you should talk to your doctor about altering the dosage or using other medications.
Adults with ADHD who aren't responding well to stimulants could be treated with non-stimulant medications that take longer to begin working but can improve the ability of a person to concentrate and control impulses. These medications can be prescribed alone or in combination with stimulants.
Atomoxetine, also referred to as Strattera or Qelbree is the very first. It is a stimulant of dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the prefrontal cortex, which regulates the behavior. Another is guanfacine (brand name Intuniv) is a member to a class of drugs known as alpha agonists. These work by blocking the release of brain chemicals and increasing their levels in the bloodstream. Guanfacine was developed to treat high blood pressure, but it also has been proven to help people with ADHD.
Combinations
There are many drug combinations used by people who suffer from ADHD. These include stimulants and depressant-type drugs such as the guanfacine and clonidine. These drugs may influence a calming effect on the brain, and reduce symptoms like insomnia and aggressive behaviour. They also prevent withdrawal symptoms that can result from stimulants. However, this combination can be dangerous if not utilized correctly. Taking two stimulants at the simultaneously increases the risk of developing serotonin-related syndrome, which is a type of drug emergency that happens when the body is overloaded with many serotonin. This combination may also increase the blood pressure and heart rate. Heart disease sufferers or those with high blood pressure are at higher risk of developing side effects from this medication.
Combinations of stimulants are increasingly being used by teens and young adults. These substances, which are sold in pharmacies, are called "legal highs". They are also sold on the black market. These substances are dangerous particularly when they are combined with alcohol or other drugs. This is known as polydrug use and can be extremely dangerous. Mixing drugs can result in unpredictable and harmful consequences, such as an increased heart rate, slow breathing, paranoia, hallucinations, seizures and addiction.
Combination therapy is more effective than monopharmacotherapy when it comes to treating ADHD according to a study. Combining medication increased compliance and allowed patients to experience greater relief from symptoms than monotherapy. Some patients, however quit their treatment due to side effects. In a few cases the medication was stopped due to sleep issues or worsening tics. This could be due to a misdiagnosis or a lack of medication.
Nonstimulants are a different treatment option for ADHD. These drugs enhance the quality of attention and impulse control however they don't work like stimulants do. They are less likely to suppress appetite and increase. Certain antidepressants may also be prescribed for ADHD. However they have a less chance of improving focus and concentration.
In a number of studies, atomoxetine (Concerta), when combined with methylphenidate, produced better results than either drug on its on its own. The combination of these two medications was proven to improve adherence and reduce the risk of adverse reactions in a majority of people. The combination was effective for adolescents and young adults. This combination could be a feasible alternative for children suffering from severe ADHD.