5 Killer Quora Answers To ADHD Medication Ritalin
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medication used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADHD). It helps improve brain communication, which decreases ADHD.
ADHD medication can cause adverse effects, like suppressed appetite and trouble sleeping. However, the majority of these are mild and go away on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used for decades and is considered to be safe when taken in the recommended dosages taken under the supervision of a physician.
However there have been reports of addiction and abuse when the drug is administered in therapeutic doses. Physicians must determine each patient's risk and monitor their symptoms throughout the treatment. It is important to inform patients and relatives about the dangers of not using medications and the need to appropriately get rid of them. A locked medicine box is ideal since it prevents children from accessing and accidentally taking unused doses. It is also a good idea to advise patients not to share the medication with anyone.
This medication could trigger suicidal thoughts or behaviors particularly in those who are depressed, bipolar, or have a history of mental illness. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. This medication may also increase your blood pressure, which can cause stroke or heart problems. Get your doctor's attention immediately if you have a high heart rate, chest pain or sweating. Inform your doctor if there is any family history of heart disease, sudden death or any time you've had an accident or suffered from bleeding issues. This medication can cause numbness or pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make sleeping difficult.
It is not clear whether the brand-name version is more effective than the generic version. Many doctors still prefer the brand name medication because of its safety and effectiveness. adhd and medication is also important to keep in mind that this medication is a risk to abused and should never be given to someone who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people have reported that this medication is more effective than other medications, but this is just anecdotal evidence and hasn't been proven scientifically. Some parents have said that their children react differently to generic versus name-brand methylphenidate, however this isn't the case for all children.
Side effects
When you are first starting medication to treat ADHD it takes some time to determine the appropriate dosage. A healthcare provider will monitor your or your child's bodily reactions and adjust until they discover the most effective treatment. These powerful medicines can cause adverse effects that range from irritability, sleep problems and serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a nerve system stimulant that contains methylphenidate as the active ingredient. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as dopamine, chemical compounds that are associated with control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin may cause serious heart problems, including stroke and sudden death in those with certain medical conditions, including heart rhythm disorders high blood pressure, an underlying cardiovascular disease or cardiac arrest.
Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can cause a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It may also raise your or your child's blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. This could be a problem if you have a preexisting heart condition or other heart issues, so your doctor will keep close check on your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include anxiety and depression. These side effects can affect the behavior of children, which is especially difficult for those who are still young. In some instances, it can cause tics or TouretteaEURtm(tm) which are repetitive sounds or movements such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow the growth in teenagers and children. It is usually temporary and does not affect their final height.
The medication is available in various forms, but only on prescription. The medication is available in the form of a tablet that can be chewed, dissolved, or swallowed. It can also come in the form of a capsule which is then opened and sprinkled over food or liquid. Some people use the formula that has a short-acting effect and lasts between three and six hours. Others prefer it to be long-term which requires more dose.
This medication may interact with other medications like antidepressants and monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication may also increase the chance of developing angle closure glaucoma which is a potentially fatal side effect.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other drugs or substances. This can change the effects. Some interactions can be dangerous and even life-threatening. You should tell your doctor about all other medicines you or your child taking, including prescription drugs and vitamins and supplements. Ritalin can interact with certain antidepressants, especially those containing monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This could cause serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts and behaviors or hallucinations, seizures, or even seizures. Ritalin is not recommended for individuals with issues with circulation like Raynaud's phenomenon or high pressure. It may also aggravate symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in those with these conditions.
Some fMRI research has found that a high dose of methylphenidate administered to patients responding to medication during stop-and time discrimination tasks increased the activity of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial cingulate cortex (MCC), anterior cingulate (ACC) and the striatum. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation when compared to the placebo and off-medication states in the same regions.
These results support that methylphenidate enhances performance in stop and timing discrimination tasks by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Other fMRI and behavioral studies suggest that the mechanism is more complex than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to hinder the reuptake process of dopamine in specific regions, like the striatum, but not other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in a few patients the combination did not work as well as the single drug. There is no one-stop treatment for ADHD and the majority of people don't require them to live with the disorder. Training in skills and behavior therapy can help many people learn more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
Some people anecdotally report that brand-name Ritalin is more effective than the generic form, but this has not been confirmed by clinical studies. The two medications are chemically identical, so they are likely to have the same effect on a majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also called Ritalin) is a central nerve system stimulant. It can improve mood, focus, and concentration when taken as prescribed. It has also been found effective in treating ADD/ADHD as well as Narcolepsy. However, like any substance that alters the brain, if misused or used in large amounts, overdoses can happen. This can lead to stroke, heart attack or coma, as well as other serious medical problems. It is essential to recognize the symptoms of an overdose on Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical attention.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of causes. A person may consume too many pills since they forgot to take a dose retake. Other substances can interact with the drug, causing its effects, or they could be using it for recreational purposes, without knowing how to dose it. Additionally, long-term use of Ritalin can lead to addiction and psychological dependence which can lead to addiction. Ritalin is not recommended by those who have a history of drug abuse.
Call 911 immediately if are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. 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 will then be able to better determine how to treat the patient. Typically, they will pump the stomach, which is known as gastric lavage, to eliminate any excess drugs from the body before it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. Anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical professionals. Fluids and antiseizure medication can be used to treat them. In addition, the person might be given activated charcoal to block any further substance from entering the body. If they are feeling hot, the medical staff can cool them down using fans and mists of water to prevent hyperthermia.
If you've been prescribed Ritalin keep it in an area where children can't reach it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return program. Also, don't keep any expired or unused medicine. Instead, mix the expired medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and dispose of it.