ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medicine that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by improving the way the parts of the brain communicate, which can reduce ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can cause adverse effects, like sleepiness and a lack of appetite. The majority of these side effects are mild and will disappear by themselves or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are vital neurotransmitters that are responsible for regulating motivation as well as action and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for decades. It is considered safe when you take it in the prescribed dosages under the supervision of your physician.
Nevertheless there have been reports of addiction and abuse when the drug is taken at therapeutic doses. Physicians must assess each patient's risk and monitor symptoms throughout the treatment. It is also crucial to inform patients and their families on this risk of harm and the need for proper disposal of any unneeded medication. Using a locked medication box is ideal, as this keeps children from gaining access and consuming doses that are not used. It's also a good idea to tell patients not to divulge their medication to anyone.
This medication may cause suicidal thoughts, or actions particularly in those who are depressed, bipolar, or have an history of mental illness. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. This medication can cause an increase in blood pressure which could lead to strokes or heart issues. If you feel chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating call your doctor immediately. Inform your doctor if you have a family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have ever had any type of bleeding issue or stroke. This medication may affect blood circulation and cause the sensation of numbness or pain to your toes and fingers. adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication can also make it hard to fall asleep.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version of this medication is more effective than the generic version. Many doctors still prefer the brand-name medication due to its effectiveness and safety. It is important to remember that this medication could be misused and should not be administered to a person 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 proven scientifically. Some parents report that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate versus name-brand, but this may not be the case for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to find the right dose when beginning treatment for ADHD. A doctor will be able to monitor your child's or your own's bodily reactions and make adjustments until they find the most effective medication. These powerful medications can cause adverse effects that range from sleep disorders, irritability and serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate, and is an stimulant to the central nervous system. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, chemicals associated control and attention. It also increases your concentration and decreases anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin could cause serious heart problems, including strokes and sudden deaths for those who suffer from certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure, as well as an underlying heart attack and cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications, Ritalin can result in a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It may also raise your your child's pulse rate and blood pressure slightly. This could be a concern when you have a prior heart condition or heart problems, so your doctor will be on eye on your heart rate and blood pressure.
Other side effects include changes in mood, like anxiety and depression. They can also impact behavior which is particularly difficult for children who are just starting to take the medication. In certain instances, it may cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm) which are repetitive sounds or movements like eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow growth in teenagers and children. However, this is usually temporary and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
There are many kinds of this medication that are available on prescription only. It can be a tablet that's swallowed, chewed or dissolving in a capsule opened and sprinkled on food or a liquid. Some people make use of the formula that has a short-acting effect and lasts between three and six hours. Others prefer it to be long-term, which requires an increased dosage.
This medication may interact with other drugs like monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It could also increase your or your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications interact with other drugs or substances. This could alter their effects. Some interactions can be dangerous and even fatal. You should inform your doctor about all other medications you or your child taking, including prescription drugs as well as vitamins and supplements. Ritalin is known to interact with antidepressants, especially those containing monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts, actions, seizures, and hallucinations. Ritalin should not be taken by those with circulatory problems like Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms in those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
Certain fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose of methylphenidate in medication responders during time discrimination and stop tasks enhanced activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation in placebo and off-medication conditions in the same regions.
These results support that methylphenidate improves performance in stop and timing discrimination tasks by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. However, additional fMRI and behavioral data suggest that the mechanism is more complex than increased dopamine and norepinephrine. Particularly, psychostimulants are believed to block the reuptake of dopamine in some areas, like the striatum, but not in other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in some patients the combination did not work as well as the single drug. Most people don't require medication to deal with ADHD. Training in skills and behavior therapy can help many people learn better coping strategies.
There are reports that name-brand Ritalin is more efficient than generic Ritalin, but this has not been confirmed by clinical trials. Both drugs are chemically the same, which means they will both have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate more commonly referred to as Ritalin, is a stimulant of the central nervous system that improves focus, concentration and mood when used according to the prescription. It has also been found to be effective in treating ADD/ADHD and the disorder known as narcolepsy. However, like any substance that alters the brain, if misused or taken in large quantities, an overdoses can occur. This could lead to heart attack, stroke, or even coma. It is important to identify the signs of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical attention.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a variety of causes. For example, someone may have a mishap and take too much medication due to the fact that they don't remember to take a dose re-supplement. Other substances may interact with the drug, causing its effects, or they may be taking it for recreational purposes without knowing how to do it. Long-term Ritalin use can also lead to tolerance and psychological dependence that could lead to addiction. Ritalin is not recommended by those who have an history of addiction to drugs.
Anyone suffering from a Ritalin overdose should dial 911 immediately. First responders should know the dosage, when it was taken and if they've consumed any other medications or substances. The emergency response team can determine the best course of action to do to treat the person. Typically, they will pump the stomach, which is known as gastric lavage, which is used to eliminate any excess drugs from the body before it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can cause seizures. People who experience these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical experts. Fluids and antiseizure medications are a way to treat them. Activated charcoal is also administered to the patient to prevent the drug from circulating into their body. The hospital staff can cool the patient down with fans or mists of cooled water if they feel hot.
If you're prescribed Ritalin ensure that you store it in a secure location where children cannot reach it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return program. Lastly, do not keep any expired or unused medication. Instead, mix the unneeded medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and dispose of it.