Best Medication For ADHD
Most children and teenagers who take ADHD medication notice they focus better and are less impulsive. They feel calmer and get on with their schoolwork. Some suffer a slight slowdown in growth and may experience an increase in blood pressure or heart rate when taking these medications.
There are a variety of medications such as tablets, liquids patches, capsules, and tablets (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most common stimulant. It is available in three forms: immediate-release, sustained-release and extended-release.
Stimulants
Stimulants are one of the classes of drugs that is effective in treating ADHD. These medications help improve concentration and attention by altering certain neurotransmitters within the brain, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate the pre-frontal cortex which is often called the brain's "secretary" because it aids in the planning and organization abilities.
Stimulants are available both in short-acting and long-acting doses. The short-acting drugs are most effective between 30 and 45 minutes, and need to be taken twice or three times a day. Amphetamines like Adderall and Dexedrine, and methylphenidates like Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin are among these. Amphetamines are more potent and last longer, however they all work in similarly in improving attention and focus. There are also extended-release versions of a few stimulant drugs. They are a good alternative since they last from 8 to 12 hours and are typically taken daily. Some of these medicines are a powder that is mixed with liquid to make a drink, while others are pills.
It may take some time to find the right medication for you or your child. Your doctor will be able to monitor your response to different types of medication and alter the dosage if necessary. The use of medication should be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes a combination of therapy and support.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a bit longer to check here start working but they can help you feel more in control and increase your ability to concentrate, impulsivity and focus. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine in the same as stimulants do, which means they can be safer to use over an extended period of time. They can also be less prone to adverse effects, like constipation, heartburn and lessened sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these medications that was approved by FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of selective reuptake. Your doctor could prescribe additional medication from this category, including the guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay).
There are also non-stimulant antidepressants that are prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. These older tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil(imipramine) are used to treat ADHD. These drugs are only prescribed by physicians if stimulants or other non-stimulants don't work or if they have too many adverse effects.
Your doctor can prescribe Atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medications do not have immediate effects, but they can help reduce the amount of impulsivity and improve concentration. These medications belong to a different class of drugs from the others and can cause side effects like shaky hand or headache. Your doctor may also recommend a low-dose antidepressant, bupropion (Wellbutrin) which isn't FDA approved for ADHD treatment but can increase concentration and decrease impulsivity. It can cause unpleasant but not usually serious, side effects, like hearing ringing or changes in vision.