Ten Things You've Learned In Kindergarden To Help You Get Started With ADHD Medication Ritalin
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medicine that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It improves the way parts of the brain communicate, which reduces ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can cause side effects, such as suppressed appetite and trouble sleeping. However, most of these are minor and will go away on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are vital neurotransmitters partially responsible for regulating motivation as well as action and cognition. It is a psychostimulant and has been used for a long time. It is considered safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the supervision of your doctor.
Nevertheless there have been instances of addiction and abuse when the drug is used at therapeutic doses. Physicians must determine each patient's risk and monitor symptoms throughout the treatment. It is also essential to educate the patient and their family members about the dangers and the need for proper disposal of any leftover medication. It is recommended to use a locked medicine container which will prevent children from consuming unneeded medication. It's also a good idea to inform patients not to divulge their medication to anyone.
This medication may trigger suicidal feelings or thoughts, especially for those who are bipolar or depressed or have a mental health history. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately. This medication can also raise your blood pressure, which could cause stroke or heart problems. If you experience chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating, call your doctor immediately. Also tell your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have ever suffered from any kind of stroke or bleeding problem. This medication can affect your blood circulation and cause the sensation of numbness or pain to your toes and fingers. It can also make it difficult to fall asleep.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version of this medication is more efficient than the generic version. Many doctors still prefer the brand-name medication because of its safety and effectiveness. It is important to note that this medication could be misused and should never be administered to anyone who isn't suffering from ADHD or narcolepsy.
Some people report that this medication works better than other medications, but this is only anecdotal and hasn't been proved scientifically. Some parents have reported that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate as opposed to the brand name, but this might not be the case for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to find the correct dose when starting medication to treat ADHD. A healthcare professional will observe the body reactions of your child or yourself and make adjustments to find the best medication. These powerful medications can trigger adverse reactions that range from irritability, sleep problems and severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin has the active ingredient methylphenidate and is a central nervous system stimulant. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also improves concentration and reduces restlessness as well as hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart problems, including sudden death and stroke in those with certain medical conditions, including heart rhythm disturbances high blood pressure, an history of cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin as with other stimulant medications, can cause weight loss and a decrease in appetite. It can also slightly increase your child's pulse rate and blood pressure. This could be a concern if you have a preexisting heart condition or heart problems as a result, so your doctor will keep close eye on your heart rate and blood pressure.
Other side effects include anxiety and depression. They can also affect behavior which is particularly difficult for children who are taking the drug. In certain instances, it may cause tics or TouretteaEURtm(tm), which are repeated sounds or movements such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also cause a slowing of growth in children and teenagers. This is usually temporary, and doesn't affect their final height.
The medication is available in various forms, but only with a prescription. It could be a tablet that's swallowed, chewed or dissolving in a capsule opened and sprinkled on food or in a liquid. Some people choose to take an instant-acting formulation that lasts for about three to six hours, while others take it long-term and need a higher dose.
adhd and medication could interact with other medications such as antidepressants or monoamine oxide (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 interact with other drugs or substances. This could alter the effects. Certain interactions could be harmful, even deadly. You should inform your doctor about all the other medicines you or your child is taking, including over-the-counter medicines as well as vitamins and supplements. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, especially those containing monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and actions, seizures, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for those with circulatory problems, such as Raynaud’s phenomenon or high blood pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms in people with Tourette syndrome and tics.
Certain fMRI studies have shown that an acute dose of methylphenidate administered to patients responding to medication during stop-and-time discrimination tasks boosted the activity of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial cingulate cortex (MCC), anterior cingulate (ACC), and striatum. These changes were accompanied with normalization of the reduced activation in the same areas during placebo and off medication conditions.
These results support the hypothesis that methylphenidate causes its behavioral effect by increasing extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine, which improve performance in stop and time-discrimination tasks. Other fMRI and behavior data suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, specifically, seem to hinder dopamine reuptake in certain areas like the striatum, but not in other areas, such the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mixture of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some patients however, the combination didn't perform as effectively as one drug. The majority of people don't require medication to manage ADHD. Many people can learn better ways to cope through behavior therapy and skill training.
Some people anecdotally report that name-brand Ritalin is more effective than the generic version, but this has not been confirmed by clinical trials. Both medications are chemically the same, so they should both have the same effects on a majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate more commonly referred to as Ritalin is a stimulant for the central nervous system that can improve concentration, focus and mood when taken according to the prescription. It also works in treating narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and ADD. But, as with any drug that alters the brain, if it is misused or used in large doses, overdose can occur. This can result in stroke, heart attack, coma, and other serious medical problems. It is important to recognize the signs of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of reasons. For instance, a person may accidentally take too much because they forget to take a dose re-supplement. Other substances can interact with the drug, causing its effects, or they may be using it recreationally without knowing how to do it. In addition, long-term usage of Ritalin could lead to dependence and tolerance which can lead to addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those with an addiction history.
Call 911 immediately if are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should be aware of the dose, when it was taken, and if they have taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will be able to better decide on the best way to treat the patient. Typically, they will pump the stomach, a procedure called gastric lavage, to eliminate any excess drug from the body before it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. People who experience these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical experts. Antiseizure and fluids can be used to treat seizures. Activated charcoal may also be administered to the patient to prevent the drugs from entering their body. The hospital staff may cool the patient by using fans or mists of chilled water if they are feeling hot.
If you have been prescribed Ritalin put it in a place that is secure and where children cannot access it. You can also ask your pharmacist for a take-back program. Do not keep any expired or unused medicine. Mix the medicine you don't need with ground coffee or cat litter and dispose of it.