5 Lessons You Can Learn From ADHD Stimulant Medication
ADHD Stimulant Medication
Stimulant medications are the first-line treatment for ADHD. They have a long history of a high response, a high tolerance, and are safe throughout the lifespan.
It is essential to choose a medication and dosage that eases your child's or your own symptoms without causing side negative effects. This usually requires lots of trial and trial and regular dialog with your doctor.
Stimulants
Stimulants are medications that increase activity in the central nervous system. They are extensively used as performance enhancement and cognitive enhancers by athletes, students as well as artists and workers. They are also used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), binge eating disorder and some anxiety disorders. The most popular stimulant drugs are amphetamines and methylphenidates.
FDA-approved prescription stimulants are available in immediate-release and extended-release formulas. The immediate-release medication is usually taken every four hours, as required. They can trigger a sudden, short-term decrease in energy, referred to as a crash when they have worn off. The crash can cause extreme craving, mood swings and fatigue. Instant-release medication can also increase blood pressure and heartbeats in certain people. This is particularly true when they do not take enough food.
Extended-release medications are designed to release active ingredients over 8-16 hours. This type of medication can be prescribed by your doctor when you're looking for long-lasting symptoms control without taking pills frequently throughout the day. Methylphenidate products that fall into the extended-release category include Ritalin, Concerta, and Focalin. Another alternative is the methylphenidate long-acting patch, known as Daytrana that adheres to the skin as a band-aid and lasts all day. This kind of medication is usually prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD who require a daily dose that lasts longer than the immediate-release alternatives.
Stimulant medication does not cure ADHD but it can help manage the symptoms by improving the way neurons in the brain communicate. They accomplish this by altering the levels of neurotransmitters that are present in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. This is done by blocking or binding to their receptors. This allows more neurotransmitters to be released, and helps messages between neurons be more efficiently transferred and received.
Doctors sometimes prescribe antidepressants in addition to stimulants to treat ADHD. The majority of antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD affect the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. One of the groups, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, is a good option for those suffering from depression or anxiety, too. These medications are usually combined with stimulants to boost their effectiveness. Your doctor can switch between stimulant and non-stimulant medication if your current medication isn't effective or has intolerable side effects.
Long-acting
Stimulants help about 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. They help reduce symptoms like the tendency to fidget and talk over others. They also help improve job performance and social skills.
The stimulant medication starts working as soon as it crosses the blood-brain barrier which can take between 45 and 60 minutes. They boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels between brain cells, which reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. The FDA-approved stimulant medications contain two molecules that are methylphenidate (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, Concerta) and amphetamine (Ritalin, Adderall XR, Vyvanse XR). Stimulants can cause side effects such as stomach upset, decreased appetite, elevated blood pressure and heart rate as well as headaches, nervousness or anxiety. They can also make tics worse, and they may cause sleep issues in certain people.
Long-acting stimulants like Strattera or Wellbutrin, can be used both at night and day. Short-acting medications only last a few hours. They also aid in other disorders like depression or anxiety.
The medications affect the way your body regulates chemicals called monoamine oxidases. Monoamine oxidases break down dopamine in the brain and other neurotransmitters. These chemicals stay in your body longer if they are not broken down. This could affect your behavior and your thinking. Long-acting medications can have less side effects, and your doctor will prescribe them in smaller doses that you can take throughout the day.
Some stimulants are available in extended-release versions that you can take daily. Some adults might find this more convenient, but you should still keep in mind to take your stimulants each day.
SSRIs and other medications have shown to be effective in treating ADHD in a variety of adults. SSRIs are generally prescribed for anxiety or depression but they can also be prescribed for ADHD. About 70% of patients respond to these drugs. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is another 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 people.
Short-acting
Stimulant medication reduces ADHD symptoms by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain. These are the two chemical compounds that aid people in focusing and regulate their behavior. They are available in numerous forms, and each comes with their own brand name such as Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin and Concerta. There are two main types of stimulant medications that are methylphenidates (such as methylphenidate) and the amphetamines (such as dextroamphetamine). They all have similar effects, but differ in the duration of their effect. The methylphenidates are less effective and can last up to three hours, whereas the amphetamines have longer-lasting effects.
Certain people are more able to tolerate long-acting stimulant medication than those with short-acting stimulants and therefore, your doctor might prescribe this type. It is important to learn everything you can about the drug that you are taking, including the possible side effects, how often it should be taken and any specific warnings that must be followed. This will aid you and your doctor to determine the best medication for you.
It is important to understand that these medications may cause a few negative side effects, including trouble sleeping or loss of appetite. Talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects. You may have to alter the dosage or try a different drug.
Adults suffering from ADHD who don't respond to stimulants well can be treated with nonstimulant medications. These drugs take longer to work but can improve the ability to focus and control impulses. These drugs can be prescribed as a stand-alone or together with stimulants.
Atomoxetine, also referred to as Strattera or Qelbree is the first. It is a stimulant of dopamine and norepinephrine within the prefrontal cortex, which regulates the behavior. Another is guanfacine (brand name Intuniv), which belongs to a class of medications known as alpha agonists. medication for adult add IamPsychiatry work by preventing the release of brain chemicals and increasing their levels in the bloodstream. Guanfacine was created to treat high blood pressure, but it also has been proven to help people with ADHD.
Combinations
People with ADHD utilize a variety of drug combinations. These include stimulants combined with depressants such as clonidine or guanfacine. These drugs are calming for the brain, and can decrease symptoms like insomnia and aggressive behavior. They can also prevent the withdrawal symptoms caused by stimulants. This combination can be dangerous however, if it is not used properly. Combining two stimulants at simultaneously increases the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is an emergency drug that occurs when the body is overloaded with many serotonin. This combination may also increase the blood pressure and heart rate. The risks of taking this medication are more pronounced for those who have pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease.
Combinations of stimulants are now being used by teenagers and young adults. These drugs are often described as "legal highs" and are available in pharmacies. These drugs are also sold on the black market. These substances are dangerous especially when mixed with alcohol or other drugs. This is known as polydrug use, and can be very dangerous. Mixing drugs can cause unpredictable and harmful effects, such as increased heart rate, slow breathing, paranoia, hallucinations, seizures and addiction.
Combination therapy is more effective than monopharmacotherapy for treating ADHD, according to an investigation. Combining medications increased adherence and enabled patients to experience better relief from symptoms than monotherapy. Many patients, however, stopped their treatment due to side effects. In some instances, the medication has been discontinued due to sleep problems or worsening of tics. This could be a result of a poor diagnosis, or a lack of access to medication.
Nonstimulants are an alternative treatment for ADHD. These medications enhance the ability to focus and control impulses, but they don't work as well as stimulants. They are also less likely to block growth and reduce appetite. Some antidepressants can also be prescribed for ADHD. However they have a less chance of improving concentration and focus.
In a variety of studies, in a number of studies, atomoxetine (Concerta), when combined with methylphenidate, produced better results than either drug on its alone. The combination of these two medications was proven to increase adherence and decrease the risk of adverse reactions in a majority of people. The combination also proved effective for adolescents and young adults. This combination may be a viable solution for children with severe ADHD.