ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It works by improving brain communication, which can reduce ADHD.
ADHD medications can have side effects such as a decreased appetite and difficulty sleeping. Most of these side effects are mild and will fade by themselves or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are key neurotransmitters that are responsible for regulating motivation actions, cognition, and motivation. It is a psychostimulant that has been used since decades. It is considered to be safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the supervision of a doctor.
Nevertheless, there have been reports of abuse and addiction even when the drug is used at therapeutic doses. Therefore, doctors must assess each patient for danger and monitor their symptoms throughout treatment. It is also essential to educate the patient and their family members about the risk of harm and the need for proper disposal of any leftover medication. Using a locked medication box is ideal, as this will stop children from accessing and accidentally taking unused doses. It is also recommended to instruct patients not to share this medication with anyone.
adhd medication for adults can trigger suicidal thoughts or behaviors particularly in those who are depressed, bipolar or have an history of mental illness. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. This medication may also increase your blood pressure, which can cause stroke or heart problems. If you feel chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, or excessive sweating, contact your doctor immediately. Inform your doctor if there is an ancestor with a history of heart disease, sudden death or having suffered a stroke or bleeding problems. This medication may alter your blood circulation, causing numbness or pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make it hard to sleep.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version is more efficient than the generic version. Many doctors still prefer the brand-name version due to its effectiveness and safety. This medication can be abused, and should not be given to anyone who isn't suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people claim that this medication is more effective than others. However, this is only anecdotal evidence and is not yet scientifically verified. Parents have reported that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate than name-brand, but this may not be the case for all children.
Side effects
When you begin medication to treat ADHD, it takes some time to find the proper dose. A healthcare provider will monitor the body reactions of your child or yourself and make adjustments to determine the most effective medication. These powerful medicines can cause side effects ranging from irritability, sleep problems and severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a drug that contains the active ingredient methylphenidate and is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It is a stimulant that increases levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, chemicals associated control and attention. It also improves concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can cause serious heart problems, including strokes and sudden deaths in those with certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure and a history or cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications, Ritalin can cause a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It can also increase your or your child's pulse rate and blood pressure little. This could be a concern in the event of a preexisting heart condition or have heart problems and your doctor will keep close watch over your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include changes to mood, like anxiety and depression. They can also impact behavior, which can be especially difficult for children who are taking the medication. In some cases it can cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm), which are repetitive movements or sounds like eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow the growth in children and teenagers. However, this is usually temporary and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
There are a variety of forms of this medication, that are available on prescription only. It can be a tablet that's swallowed, chewed on or dissolved, a capsule that is open and sprinkled onto food or a liquid. Some people make use of an ingredient that acts quickly and lasts between three and six hours. Some people take it for a longer time which requires a higher dosage.
This medication can interact with other medications such as antidepressants and monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors. It can also increase your your child's risk of a potentially fatal side effect, such as angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications have the potential to interact with other drugs and substances, which can alter their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful, even deadly. Tell your doctor what other medications you or your child are taking, including vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants. This is especially the case for those with monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. This could cause severe side effects, including suicidal thoughts, actions, seizures, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for those with circulatory problems such as Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It can also worsen symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in people who have these conditions.
Certain fMRI studies have shown that an acute dose of methylphenidate in medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks increased activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by normalization of underactivation when compared to non-medication and placebo conditions in the same regions.
These results support the notion that methylphenidate exerts its effect on behavior by increasing extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine, which improve performance in stop and time discrimination tasks. Other fMRI and behavior data suggest that the mechanism is more complex than an increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants in particular 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 non-stimulants decreased ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in some patients the combination did not work as well as the single drug. Most people don't require medication to deal with ADHD. Training in skills and behavior therapy can help a lot of people develop more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
Clinical trials have not confirmed that the name-brand Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both medications are chemically identical, and they should have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate, more commonly known as Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that improves concentration, focus, and mood when used according to the prescribed dosage. It is also effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. However, like all substances that alters the brain, if misused or used in large amounts, overdose can occur. This can result in stroke, heart attack, or coma. Being aware of the signs of a Ritalin overdose is crucial to stopping these symptoms and taking the necessary steps to seek medical assistance.
A Ritalin Overdose can be caused in a variety of ways. For instance, a person could accidentally take too much because they forget to take a dose re-supplement. Other substances can interact with the drug to increase its effects, or they could be using it for recreational purposes, without knowing how to dose it. In addition, long-term usage of Ritalin can lead to addiction and psychological dependence that can cause addiction. Therefore, those who have an history of abuse of stimulants or other drugs should use Ritalin under the supervision of a doctor.
Contact 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should know the dose, when it was taken, and if they have consumed any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team can determine the best course of action to do to treat the patient. They will usually perform a stomach pump (a procedure known as gastriclavage) to eliminate any excess drug from the body before they are absorbed in the bloodstream.
Ritalin can cause seizures, and anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should be carefully monitored by a medical professional. Fluids and antiseizure medication can be used to treat them. Activated charcoal can also be administered to the patient in order to stop the drug from circulating into the body. If they feel hot, the medical staff can cool them down using fans and mists of water to avoid hyperthermia.
If you're given Ritalin be sure to keep it in a secure place where children are not able to reach it. You may also ask your pharmacist about a take-back program. Lastly, do not keep any expired or unused medicine. Mix the medicine you don't need with ground coffee or cat litter and then throw it away.