The Ultimate Glossary Of Terms About Best Medication For ADHD

Best Medication For ADHD

Most teenagers and children who take ADHD medication notice they focus better, are less impulsive, feel calmer and get on with their schoolwork. Some individuals may experience a slight slowing in their growth, or an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure when taking these medications.

They are available in various forms, including capsules, tablets, liquid and patches (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most popular stimulant. It's available in immediate-release dextroamphetamine amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts with extended-release.

Stimulants

Stimulants are a class of drugs that is effective in treating ADHD. These drugs improve focus and attention by altering neurotransmitters, especially norepinephrine and dopamine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, which is often known as the "secretary of the brain" because it helps in planning and organization abilities.

Stimulants come in short and long-acting doses. The short-acting medicines are most effective between 30 and 45 minutes and should be taken twice or three times a day. These include methylphenidates, such as Ritalin and Concerta amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphetamines can be stronger and last longer than methylphenidates, however, they both function in the same way to improve attention and focus. Certain stimulant medicines are available in extended-release versions. These can be a better option because they last up to 12 hours and are typically taken once per day. Some of these medications are a powder that is mixed with liquid to create drinks, while others are pills.

Finding  adult adhd medication iampsychiatry.uk  may take a bit of time. Your doctor will observe your response to different types of medicines and adjust the dosage if necessary. The use of medicines should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes support and behavioral therapy.

Non-stimulant ADHD medications can take a bit longer to start working however they can make you feel more in control and boost your impulsivity, concentration and focus. These medications don't affect dopamine and norepinephrine the same way that stimulants do, which means they can be more secure to use for longer periods of time. These medications can also have less side effects such as constipation, heartburn and reduced sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these drugs that was approved by FDA to treat ADHD. It's a selective reuptake norepinephrine inhibitor. Your doctor may prescribe other medicines from this class which include guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (Kapvay).

Off-label, non-stimulant antidepressants are also available to treat ADHD. These antidepressants with tricyclic chemistry like Tofranil(imipramine) are prescribed to treat ADHD. Doctors will only recommend these medications in cases where stimulants or other non-stimulants don't work or cause too many adverse negative effects.

Your doctor may also prescribe atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medications do not have a direct effect, but help reduce the impulsivity of people and increase concentration over time. They're in a different category than the other options and may cause some side effects such as headaches or shaky hands. Your doctor may also suggest the use of a small dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin) which is not an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD however it can help improve concentration and decrease impulsivity. It can cause some unpleasant but not usually serious side effects such as the ringing of your ears or changes in your vision.