A. The Most Common Best Medication For ADHD Debate Could Be As Black And White As You Might Think
A. The Most Common Best Medication For ADHD Debate Could Be As Black And White As You Might Think
Blog Article
Best Medication For ADHD
Most children and teenagers who take ADHD medication report that they focus better, are less impulsive, feel calmer and get on with their school work. Some sufferers may experience a slowing in their growth or a rise in blood pressure or heart rate when taking these medications.
They are available in various forms like capsules, tablets, liquid and patches (such as Daytrana). The most frequently used stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It comes in three forms: immediate-release extended-release and sustained-release.
Stimulants
Stimulants are one of the classes of drugs that are effective in treating ADHD. These medications help improve concentration and attention by altering certain neurotransmitters within the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate the brain's pre-frontal cortex, which is often described as the brain's "secretary" because it helps with organizing and planning abilities.
Stimulants are available in short-acting and long-acting dosages. The short-acting medications peak in 30 to 45 minutes and have to be taken 2 or 3 times per every day. These include methylphenidates such as Ritalin and Concerta amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphetamines may be a bit more powerful and last longer than methylphenidates, but both work in the same way to improve concentration and attention. There are also extended-release versions of some stimulant medications. They are a better option since they last from 8 to 12 hours and are generally taken only every day. Some of these medications are a powder that you mix with liquid to create a drink, while others are in pill form.
Finding the right medication can take a bit of time. Your doctor will monitor your reaction to different kinds of medications and adjust the dosage if needed. The use of medicines should be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes support and behavioral therapy.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications can take a bit longer to kick in but they can help you feel more in control and improve your ability to concentrate, impulsivity and focus. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine in the same way stimulants do. They are therefore able to be utilized for a longer period of time. get more info These medications also be less prone to side effects such as constipation, heartburn, and decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these medications that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of the selective reuptake of norepinephrine. Your doctor might prescribe other medicines from this class such as guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (Kapvay).
There are also non-stimulant antidepressants that are prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. These are older medications within the tricyclic antidepressant family like Tofranil (imipramine). Doctors only suggest these drugs if stimulants and other non-stimulants don't work or cause too many adverse negative effects.
Viloxazine or atomoxetine can be prescribed by your physician. These medications do not have a direct effect however they can reduce the impulsivity of people and increase concentration over time. These medications are in a different class of drugs than other ones and may cause side effects like shaky hand or headache. Your doctor might also suggest the low dose antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin), that isn't FDA approved for ADHD treatment but can improve concentration and reduce impulsivity. It can cause some unpleasant but usually not serious side effects, such as hearing loss or changes in vision.