ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It works by improving the way parts of the brain communicate, which reduces ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can cause side effects, such as sleepiness and a lack of appetite. However, most of these are mild and disappear by themselves or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters regulate motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant and has been used since decades. It is considered safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the guidance of your doctor.
However there have been instances of addiction and abuse when the drug is taken in therapeutic doses. Therefore, physicians need to evaluate each patient for the danger and monitor their symptoms throughout treatment. It is also crucial to inform patients and their families about the dangers and the necessity of proper disposal of any unused medication. A locked medicine box is ideal, as this will stop children from accessing and taking doses that are not needed. It is also a good idea to advise patients not to share this medication with anyone.
This medication may trigger suicidal thoughts or feelings especially for those who suffer from bipolar disorder or depression or have a mental health history. Discuss with your doctor right now if you exhibit any of these symptoms. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure which can cause strokes or heart issues. Get your doctor's attention immediately in case you are experiencing a high heart rate, chest pain or sweating. Inform your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have ever had any type of bleeding or stroke. This medication can affect your blood circulation and cause the sensation of numbness or pain to your fingers or toes. It can also make it difficult to sleep.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version is more efficient than the generic version. However, many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version due its history of safety and effectiveness. It is important to note that this medication is a risk to misused and should never be administered to a person who is not suffering from ADHD or narcolepsy.
Some people believe that this medication is more effective than others. However, this is only anecdotal evidence that has not yet been scientifically verified. Some parents have said that their children react differently to generic versus name-brand methylphenidate, however this is not necessarily true for every child.
Side effects
It takes time to find the correct dose when starting treatment for ADHD. A healthcare professional will observe your child's body reactions and adjust until they discover the most effective medication. These powerful medicines can cause side effects ranging from sleep disorders, irritability and serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nerve system stimulant that has methylphenidate as the active ingredient. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, chemicals associated control and attention. It also improves concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin may cause serious heart problems, including stroke and sudden death, in those with certain medical conditions, such as heart rhythm disturbances high blood pressure, an underlying cardiovascular disease or cardiac arrest.
Ritalin as with other stimulant drugs, can cause weight loss and a decrease in appetite. It can also slightly increase the speed of your child's pulse as well as blood pressure. This could be a concern in the event of a preexisting heart condition or have heart problems and your doctor will be on watch over your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. These side effects can affect children's behavior, which is particularly challenging for children who are young. In some instances, it can cause tics or TouretteaEURtm(tm), which are repeated sounds or movements such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow down growth in adolescents and children. This is usually temporary, and does not alter their height at the end of the day.
The medication is available in various forms, but only with a prescription. It could be a tablet swallowed, chewed or dissolved, a capsule that is opened and sprinkled on food or in a liquid. medication for add adults use an ingredient that acts quickly and lasts between three and six hours. medication for adhd uk take it long-term and require more dose.
This medication may interact with other medications, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It can also increase your or your child's risk of developing a potentially fatal side effect, angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other substances or drugs. This could alter the effects of their actions. Some interactions can be dangerous and even fatal. Discuss with your doctor the other medications you or your child is taking, such as vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants. This is especially relevant for those that contain monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This can lead to serious side effects like suicidal thoughts, actions or hallucinations, seizures, or even seizures. Ritalin is not recommended for those who suffer from circulatory issues like Raynaud's phenomenon or high pressure. It can also cause the onset of Tourette syndrome or tics for those who suffer from these conditions.
A few fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose methylphenidate given to medication responders during stop-and-time discrimination tasks increased the activity of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial cingulate cortex (MCC), anterior cingulate (ACC) and striatum. These changes were accompanied by normalization of underactivation when compared to non-medication and placebo conditions in the same regions.
These results support that methylphenidate improves performance in tasks of stop and timing discrimination by increasing extracellular norepinephrine and dopamine. Other fMRI and behavior data suggest the mechanism is more complicated than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants in particular seem to hinder dopamine reuptake in specific areas such as the striatum, but not in other areas like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix between stimulants and nonstimulants reduced symptoms of ADHD in children with moderate to severe cases. In some patients, however, the combination didn't work as effectively as a single drug. There is no one-stop treatment for ADHD, and most people do not require medication to manage the disorder. Behavior therapy and skills training can help many people learn more effective strategies for coping.
Some people anecdotally report that brand-name Ritalin is more efficient than generic Ritalin however this hasn't been confirmed by clinical trials. Both drugs are chemically same, which means they will both have the same effects on a majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate, more commonly known as Ritalin, is a stimulant of the central nervous system that can improve focus, concentration, and mood when used as prescribed. It has also been found effective in treating ADD/ADHD and Narcolepsy. However, like all substances that alters the brain, if misused or taken in large amounts, overdoses can happen. This could lead to stroke, heart attack and coma as well as other serious medical problems. Being aware of the symptoms of a Ritalin overdose is crucial to preventing these symptoms and taking the appropriate step to seek medical attention.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a variety of factors. For instance, a person may have a mishap and take too much medication due to the fact that they don't remember to take a dose re-supplement. They could also be taking other substances that can affect the drug and increase its effect or they could be taking it for recreational purposes and aren't aware of how to dose it properly. Long-term Ritalin usage can result in tolerance and a psychological dependence that can lead to addiction. Therefore those with a history of abusing stimulants or other drugs should use Ritalin under the supervision of a doctor.
Anyone suffering from a Ritalin overdose should contact 911 immediately. They should be able provide the emergency personnel with specific details regarding their dosage, when they used it, and the other drugs or substances they took. The emergency response team can determine the best course of action to do to treat the person. In general, they will pump the stomach, a process called gastric lavage, to eliminate any excess drug from the body before it can be taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures, so anyone suffering from these symptoms should be carefully monitored by a medical professional. They can be treated with fluids and medications to prevent seizures. In addition, the patient could be treated with activated charcoal to prevent any more of the substance from entering the body. The hospital staff may cool the patient with fans or mists cool water if they feel hot.
If you're prescribed Ritalin, make sure to store it in a secure area where children cannot get it. You can also inquire with your pharmacist for a take-back program. Don't keep any expired or unused medication. Mix the medicine you don't need with cat litter or ground coffee and then throw it away.