ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It improves the way the parts of the brain communicate, which reduces ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can cause negative side effects, including sleepiness and a lack of appetite. However, most of these are minor and disappear on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are important neurotransmitters partially responsible for regulating motivation actions, cognition, and motivation. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for decades and is considered safe when doses are prescribed and administered under the supervision by a physician.
However, there are reports of misuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic dosage levels. Therefore, doctors must evaluate each patient for the risk and monitor these symptoms throughout treatment. It is also crucial to educate patients and their families about the risk of harm and the necessity of proper disposal of any unused medication. It is best to utilize a locked medicine box, which prevents children from accidentally taking unused medication. It is also a great idea to tell patients not to divulge their medication to anyone.
This medication can cause suicidal thoughts or feelings, especially in those who are bipolar or depressed or have a mental illness history. Discuss with your doctor right immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. This medication may also increase your blood pressure, which could cause heart or stroke. If you experience chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating, call your doctor immediately. Inform your doctor if you have any family history of heart disease or sudden death or if you've previously suffered any type of bleeding or stroke. This medication can cause numbness or pain in your feet or fingers. It can also make sleeping difficult.
It is not known whether the brand-name version is more effective than its generic counterpart. However many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version due to its proven safety and effectiveness. It is important to remember that this medication could be misused and should never be administered 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 has not yet been scientifically proven. Some parents report that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate as opposed to the brand name, but this might not be true for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to find the appropriate dose when you start medication to treat ADHD. A doctor will be able to monitor your child's or your own's bodily reactions and adjust until they can find the most effective medication. These medications are potent and can have side effects, from irritability and sleep problems to severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nerve system stimulant, which has methylphenidate, the active ingredient. It works by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. These are chemicals that help with control and attention. medications for adhd uk increases concentration and reduces restlessness as well as hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart problems, including stroke and sudden deaths in those with certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure as well as an underlying cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin, like other stimulant drugs, can cause weight loss and a decrease in appetite. It may also raise the blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. This could be a concern in the event of a preexisting heart condition or other heart issues as a result, so your doctor will keep close watch over your heart rate and blood pressure.
Other side effects include anxiety and depression. They can also affect the way you behave which is particularly difficult for children who are just starting to take the drug. 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 cause a slowing of growth for children and teens. However it is usually temporary and doesn't affect their final height.
There are several types of this medication, which are available by prescription only. It can be a tablet that's swallowed, chewed on or dissolved in a capsule open and sprinkled onto food or a liquid. Some people make use of a formula that is short-acting and lasts between three and six hours. Others prefer it to be long-term which requires more dosage.
This medication can interact with other medications such as antidepressants or monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. It could also increase your your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications are able to interact with other drugs and substances, which can alter their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful and even life-threatening. Inform your doctor about any other medications you or your child are taking, including supplements and vitamins, as well as prescription drugs. Ritalin can interact with certain antidepressants, especially those containing monoamine inhibitors of oxidase (MAOIs).
MAOIs boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This could cause serious side effects, including suicidal ideas or seizures, actions, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for those with issues with circulation like Raynaud's phenomenon or high pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms for those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
Certain fMRI studies have shown that an acute dose of methylphenidate within medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks increased activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by normalization of underactivation in the placebo and off-medication states in the same regions.
These results suggest that methylphenidate can improve performance in stop and timing discrimination tasks by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Other fMRI and behavior data suggest the mechanism is more complicated than an increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to block the reuptake of dopamine in certain regions, like the striatum, but not in other areas, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination of stimulants and non-stimulants reduced ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some patients, however, the combination did not work as well as one medication. The majority of people don't require medication to manage ADHD. Skills training and behavior therapy can help a lot of people develop more effective strategies for coping.
There are reports that brand-name Ritalin is more efficient than generic Ritalin, but this has not been proven by clinical trials. Both medications are chemically identical, and they are likely to have the same effect on a majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate is also known as Ritalin is a stimulant for the central nervous system that can improve focus, concentration and mood when taken according to the prescribed dosage. It has also been found effective in treating ADD/ADHD and narcolepsy. It is possible to overdose with any substance that alters brain function. This can lead to heart attack, stroke and coma as well as other serious medical issues. Being aware of the symptoms of an Ritalin overdose is vital to stopping these symptoms and taking the necessary step to seek medical attention.
A Ritalin Overdose can happen in a variety of ways. Someone may accidentally consume too many pills since they forgot to redose their medication. They could also be taking other substances that can interfere with the drug and enhance its effects or they could be using it for recreational purposes and aren't aware of how to dose it properly. Long-term Ritalin use can also result in tolerance and a psychological dependency that can lead addiction. In the end those with a history of abusing stimulants or other drugs should only take Ritalin under the supervision of a doctor.
Call 911 immediately if are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should be aware of the dosage, when it was taken and if they've consumed any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will then better determine what to do to treat the person. Typically, they pump the stomach, a process called gastric lavage, to remove any excess drugs from the body before it can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. People who experience these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical professionals. They can be treated with fluids and medications to prevent seizures. In addition, the person may be given activated charcoal to prevent any further substance from entering the body. The hospital staff may cool the patient with fans or mists of cool water if they feel hot.
If you are prescribed Ritalin, make sure to store it in a safe place where children are not able to reach it. You can also inquire with your pharmacist about a drug take-back program. Don't keep expired or unused medicine. Instead, mix the unneeded medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and throw it away.