20 Fun Facts About Best Medication For ADHD
Best Medication For ADHDTeenagers and children taking ADHD medication tend to focus more effectively, have less impulsive, and feel more relaxed. They also have a better time with schoolwork. Some may experience a slight slowing in growth and could experience an increase in heart rate or blood pressure when taking these drugs.
There are a variety of medications such as tablets, liquids, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most well-known stimulant. It's available in immediate-release dextroamphetamine amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts with extended-release.
Stimulants
One of the most effective medications for ADHD is a class known as stimulants. These medications help improve concentration and attention by altering certain neurotransmitters within the brain, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, which is sometimes known as the "secretary of the brain" because it assists in the planning and organizing skills.
Stimulants are available in short-acting as well as long-acting dosages. The short-acting medications peak in 30 to 45 minutes, and need to be taken two or three times per day. Amphetamines such as Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin, are among these. Amphetamines can be more potent and last longer than methylphenidates however, they both function in the same way to increase attention and focus. Certain stimulant medications are available in extended-release formulations. They are a good option because they last 8 to 12 hours and are usually taken every day. Some of these are powders that you mix with liquid to create a drink, while others are in pill form.
Finding the right medicine can take a while. Your doctor will be able to monitor your reaction to different kinds of medications and adjust the dosage if necessary. The use of medicines should be a part of an overall treatment plan that includes support and behavioral therapy.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications take a little longer to kick in, but can help you feel more in control and improve your concentration, impulsivity and focus. These medications do not alter dopamine or norepinephrine in the same way that stimulants do. They are therefore able to be used for a longer time. These medications can also have less adverse effects, such as constipation, heartburn, and decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these drugs that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of the selective reuptake of norepinephrine. Your doctor read more could prescribe guanfacine, referred to as Intuniv or clonidine, that are both medicines within this category.
There are also antidepressants that are not stimulant that are available off-label to treat ADHD. These antidepressants with tricyclic chemistry like Tofranil(imipramine), are used to treat ADHD. These medications are only prescribed by doctors if stimulants or other non-stimulants don't work or if they cause too many adverse side effects.
Your doctor can prescribe Atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medicines don't have immediate effects, but help reduce the tendency to be impulsive and improve concentration over time. These medications are in a different class of drugs compared to other ones and may cause side effects like shaky hand or headache. Your doctor may also suggest taking a low dose of an antidepressant called bupropion (Wellbutrin) which isn't an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but can be effective to improve concentration and decrease the impulsivity. It can trigger some uncomfortable but not usually serious side effects like the ringing of your ears or changes in your vision.