The Worst Advice We've Received On ADHD Medication Ritalin
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medication that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It improves brain communication, which reduces ADHD.
ADHD medications can cause side effects such as a decreased appetite and difficulty sleeping. The majority of these side effects are mild and will fade on their own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used since decades. It is considered safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the guidance of your physician.
However there are reports of abuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic dosage levels. Therefore, physicians need to evaluate each patient for the danger and monitor their symptoms throughout treatment. It is crucial to inform patients and family members of the dangers of not using medications and the need to properly dispose of them. It is best to utilize a locked medicine container that will stop children from taking unneeded medication. It is also a good idea to advise patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication could trigger suicidal thoughts or behaviors, especially in people who are bipolar, depressed or have an history of mental illness. Discuss with your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. This medication may also raise your blood pressure, which can cause heart or stroke. Call your doctor right away in case you are experiencing an increased heart rate, chest pain or sweating. Tell your doctor if there is any family history of heart disease, sudden death, or having suffered a stroke or bleeding problems. This medication could affect your blood circulation, causing the sensation of numbness or pain to your toes or fingers. It can also make sleep difficult.
It is not known if the brand-name version is more effective than the generic version. Many doctors still prefer the brand-name medication because of its safety and effectiveness. It is important to keep in mind that this medication can be misused and should not be administered to anyone who is not suffering from ADHD or narcolepsy.
Some people report that this medication performs better than others, however this is purely anecdotal and hasn't been proven scientifically. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to generic versus name-brand methylphenidate, but this is not necessarily true for every child.
Side effects
When you are first starting medication to treat ADHD, it takes some time to find the proper dose. A healthcare provider will monitor the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments to determine the most effective medication. These powerful medications can trigger adverse effects that range from irritability, sleep problems and serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a drug that contains the active ingredient methylphenidate, and is a central nervous system stimulant. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, which are chemicals that control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and reduces anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin can cause serious heart problems including strokes and sudden deaths for patients who suffer from certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure and a history or cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Like adhd medications for adults can result in a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It may also raise the blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. This could be a problem if you have a preexisting heart condition or heart problems, so your doctor will keep a close eye on your heart rate and blood pressure.
Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. They can also affect the way you behave, which can be especially difficult for young children taking the drug. 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 cause a slowing of growth for children and teens. It is usually temporary and doesn't alter their height at the end of the day.
This medication is available in various forms, but only by prescription. It could be a tablet that is swallowed, chewed or dissolved, a capsule that is opened and sprinkled on food or in a liquid. Some people take a formula that acts in a short time and lasts between three and six hours, while others take it long-term and need more dosage.
This medication can interact with other medications, like antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. It may also increase your your child's risk of developing a potentially fatal side effect, called angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications have the potential to interact with other medications or substances, which may alter their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful and even life-threatening. It is important to inform your doctor about all other medicines you or your child is taking, including prescription drugs and vitamins and supplements. Ritalin can interact with certain antidepressants, specifically those that contain monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. This can cause serious side effects like suicidal thoughts and actions as well as hallucinations, seizures, and seizures. Ritalin should not be used by those with circulatory problems such as Raynaud's phenomena or high blood pressure. It may also aggravate symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in people with these conditions.
A few fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose of methylphenidate given to medication responders during stop-and-time discrimination tasks increased the activity of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial cingulate cortex (MCC), anterior cingulate (ACC), and the striatum. These changes were accompanied by normalization of the reduced activation in the same areas during non-medicament and placebo conditions.
These results support the idea that methylphenidate exerts its behavioral effect through the increase of extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine levels, which enhance performance in stop and time discrimination tasks. Other fMRI and behavior data suggest the mechanism is more complex than increased norepinephrine and dopamine. Psychostimulants, in particular, seem to hinder dopamine reuptake in specific areas like the striatum, but not in other areas like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination of stimulants and non-stimulants helped reduce ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some cases however, the combination did not work as well as one medication. Most people don't need medication to deal with ADHD. Many people are able to develop better ways to cope through behavior therapy and skill training.
A few people have reported that brand-name Ritalin is more effective than the generic version however this hasn't been confirmed by clinical studies. The two drugs are chemically identical, so they are likely to have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate more commonly referred to as Ritalin, is a central nervous system stimulant that can help improve concentration, focus and mood when taken according to the prescribed dosage. It has also been proven effective in treating ADD/ADHD and narcolepsy. It is possible to overdose with any substance that alters brain function. This could lead to heart attack, stroke or coma, as well as other serious medical problems. It is crucial to identify the signs of an overdose Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin overdose can result from a variety of factors. For example, someone may 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 for recreational purposes, and not know how to dose it. Furthermore, long-term use of Ritalin can result in addiction and psychological dependence that could lead to addiction. In the end those with an history of abuse of stimulants or other drugs should use Ritalin under the supervision of a physician.
Call 911 immediately if are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. They should be able to provide the emergency personnel with details about the dosage, the time they were taking it, as well as any other drugs or substances they took. The emergency response team will be able to more accurately determine the best treatment for the patient. Typically, they pump the stomach, a procedure known as gastric lavage, which is used to eliminate any excess drug from the body before it is taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. Anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical professionals. They are treated with fluids and anti-seizure medication. Additionally, the patient could be treated with activated charcoal to prevent any further drug from circulating in the body. If they are feeling hot, the hospital staff can cool them down with fans and mists of water to avoid hyperthermia.
If you've been prescribed Ritalin keep it in a place where children can't reach it. Ask your pharmacist if they have a drug-return program. Don't keep expired or unneeded medication. Mix the unused medicine with cat litter or ground coffee and dispose of it.