9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About ADHD Medication Ritalin

adhd sleep medication Medication - Ritalin

Ritalin is a stimulant medication that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It helps improve brain communication, which can reduce ADHD.

ADHD medication can cause side effects, such as suppressed appetite and trouble sleeping. Most of these side effects are minor and will disappear by themselves or over time.

Dosage

Ritalin boosts levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for a long time and is considered safe when taken in the recommended dosages taken under the supervision by a physician.

However, there are reports of abuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic doses. Physicians must assess the risk of each patient 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 unused medication. It is recommended to use a locked medicine box that will stop children from consuming unneeded medication. It is also recommended to instruct patients not to share this medication with anyone.

This medication may trigger suicidal feelings or thoughts, especially in those who are bipolar or depressed or have a mental health history. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. This medication may also cause an increase in blood pressure which can lead to stroke or heart problems. Contact your doctor immediately when you experience an increased heart rate, chest pain or sweating. Also, inform your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have ever had any type of stroke or bleeding problem. This medication can affect your blood circulation and cause numbness or pain in your fingers or toes. It can also make it difficult to sleep.

It isn't clear if the brand-name version of this medication is more effective than the generic version. However many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version because of its proven safety and effectiveness. It is important to keep in mind that this medication is a risk to misused and should never be given to someone who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.

Some people claim that this medication is more effective than other. However, this is only anecdotal evidence and is not yet scientifically verified. Some parents report that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate versus name-brand, but this may not be true for all children.

Side effects

It takes time to find the appropriate dose when you start medication to treat adhd medication ritalin (more info here). A doctor will be able to monitor the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments in order to find the most common adhd medications effective treatment. These powerful medications can trigger side effects ranging from sleep issues, irritability and severe cardiovascular events.

Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate and is a central nervous system stimulant. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also increases concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin may cause serious heart issues, including sudden death and stroke in those with certain medical conditions, like heart rhythm disturbances high blood pressure, a history of cardiovascular disease or cardiac arrest.

Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can cause a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It can also slightly increase the rate of your child's pulse and blood pressure. If you have heart problems or an existing condition your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.

Other side effects include anxiety and depression. They can also impact behavior, which can be especially difficult for young children taking the drug. In some cases, it may cause the development of tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which are repetitive actions and sounds like eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow the growth in children and teenagers. This is usually temporary and doesn't affect their final height.

There are many kinds of this medication that are available on prescription only. It could be a tablet swallowed, chewed on or dissolved, a capsule that is opened and sprinkled on food or in a liquid. Some people make use of the formula that has a short-acting effect and lasts between three and six hours. Others take it long-term and require a higher dosage.

This medication can interact with certain other drugs including monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It could also increase your your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, called angle closure glaucoma.

Interactions

Many medications interact with other substances or drugs. This can alter the effects. Certain interactions could be harmful, even deadly. Inform your doctor about any other medications you and your child is taking, such as supplements and vitamins, as well as prescription drugs. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, specifically those that contain monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

MAOIs increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This could cause serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for people with circulatory problems, such as Raynaud’s phenomenon or high pressure. It can also cause the onset of Tourette syndrome or tics in those who have these conditions.

Some fMRI studies have found that an acute dose of methylphenidate within medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks increased activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) and medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and the striatum 25. These changes were accompanied with normalization of the subactivation in the same regions under placebo and off medication conditions.

These results show that methylphenidate improves performance in tasks of stop and timing discrimination by increasing extracellular norepinephrine and dopamine. Other fMRI and behavioral studies suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, specifically, appear to inhibit the dopamine reuptake process in certain regions, such the striatum but not in other regions like the frontal lobes.

In one study, a mixture of stimulants and nonstimulants helped reduce symptoms of ADHD in children who had moderate to severe cases. In some cases however, the combination didn't work as effectively as one medication. Medications are not the only treatment for ADHD and the majority of people don't require medication to manage the disorder. Skills training and behavior therapy can help a lot of people develop more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.

A few people have reported that brand-name Ritalin is more effective than the generic form, but this has not been proven by clinical trials. Both medications are chemically identical, and they should have the same effect on a majority of people.

Overdose

Methylphenidate more commonly referred to as Ritalin is a stimulant of the central nervous system that improves concentration, focus and mood when taken according to the prescribed dosage. It can also be effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. Overdose is possible with any substance that alters brain function. This can adhd medication help with memory lead to stroke, heart attack or coma. Being aware of the symptoms of a Ritalin overdose is vital to preventing these symptoms and taking the necessary step to seek medical attention.

A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a variety of reasons. One could accidentally consume too many pills since they did not remember to refill their prescription. They could also be taking other substances that could interfere with the drug and enhance its effects or they could be taking it for recreational purposes and not know how to dose it properly. Long-term Ritalin usage can cause tolerance and psychological dependence that can lead to addiction. Ritalin is not recommended by those with an history of addiction to drugs.

Contact 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. They should be able to provide the first responders with details about the dosage, the time they used it, and the other medications or substances they consumed. The emergency response team will be able to decide on the best medication for adhd way to treat the patient. They typically perform a stomach pump (a procedure known as gastriclavage) to remove any excess drugs from the body before they are absorption into the bloodstream.

Ritalin may trigger seizures, so anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should be carefully monitored by a medical professional. Antiseizure and fluids are a way to treat them. Activated charcoal may also be administered to the patient in order to stop the drugs from entering the body. The hospital staff can cool the patient by using fans or mists of cool water if they feel hot.

If you have been prescribed Ritalin put it in an area that is secure and where children cannot access it. You can also ask your pharmacist about a drug take-back program. Do not keep any expired or unused medication. Mix the medicine that is not used with ground coffee or cat litter and throw it out.