Types of ADHD Medication
The most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD are stimulants. These medications increase levels of the neurotransmitter hormones norepinephrine as well as dopamine in your brain. This improves your concentration and helps in controlling impulsive behavior.
You can purchase them as a tablet or a patch. It is recommended to select long-acting stimulant products, which give you the medication throughout the day.
Stimulants
Stimulants are the most commonly used medications for ADHD. They are fast-acting and reduce ADHD symptoms in 70-80 percent of children who take them. They are effective by increasing brain chemical dopamine and norepinephrine. This increases focus and decreases fatigue. Methylphenidate (also called methylphenidate, Ritalin, and Focalin) is a popular stimulant used for ADHD. her explanation is available in chewable tablets and liquid forms, and can be taken up to three times per day. Amphetamines are often prescribed for ADHD. They are slightly stronger than the methylphenidates. These drugs can cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, so people with preexisting ailments should inform their doctor.
Stimulant medicines can lead to addiction if they are misused, which includes taking more than the recommended dose or mixing them with alcohol or other substances. Patients who use the prescribed doses are not at risk of an increased risk of becoming addicted. There is evidence to suggest that ADHD medication may even aid those at risk of using substances to stay away from addiction.
The FDA has approved several types of stimulant drugs to treat ADHD. Generic medications are available, meaning that the chemical formulation is the same. Your doctor will prescribe the medication is most effective for your child or you.
Your doctor will begin with a small amount and examine how your child or you react before adjusting dosage. Your doctor will then decide whether it is necessary add a second medication or switch to another one.
Stimulants can cause side effects including dry mouth, less appetite, and changes in mood or sleep patterns. Children and adolescents who use them experience tics, which are abrupt movements or sounds resembling eye blinks or throat clearing. Some studies have found that stimulants can cause a slight reduction in height for certain teens and children.
Non-stimulant medicines are less effective than stimulants, yet they can still improve impulsivity and attention. They may take three to four weeks before they show a noticeable improvement. Non-stimulant medications reduce depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems in certain individuals. They are typically used in conjunction with a stimulant medication to treat ADHD.
Antidepressants also work in treating ADHD. They affect the levels of serotonin in the brain. Certain medications, such as selective serotonin retake inhibitors (SSRIs), have shown to improve focus and impulsivity in people with ADHD.
There aren't a lot of non-stimulant medicines that have been approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. Your doctor may suggest antidepressants along with stimulants for ADHD or in lieu of stimulants if you have intolerable side effects. Some adults with ADHD may also benefit from antidepressants, as they improve memory and reduce impulsivity as well as aggression. Some antidepressants work on dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, and are classified as norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. They are often prescribed in combination with a stimulant, and can be more effective than stimulants alone.