ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant drug that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by improving the way parts of the brain communicate, which reduces ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can trigger adverse effects, like sleepiness and a lack of appetite. Most of these side effects are mild and will disappear by themselves or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which are important neurotransmitters responsible for controlling motivation actions, cognition, and motivation. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for decades and is considered safe when doses are prescribed and taken under the supervision by a physician.
Nevertheless, there have been reports of abuse and addiction even when the drug is administered at therapeutic doses. Physicians must determine the risk for each patient and monitor the symptoms throughout treatment. It is also important to educate the patient and their family members about the dangers and the need for proper disposal of any unneeded medication. It is best to utilize a locked medicine box that will stop children from taking unneeded medication. It's also a good idea to inform patients not to divulge their medication to anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts, or actions especially in those who are depressed, bipolar or have a history of mental illness. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately. This medication may also increase your blood pressure, which can cause stroke or heart problems. If you experience chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating, consult your physician immediately. Tell 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 can cause numbness or discomfort in your toes or fingers. It can also make sleep difficult.
It is not known if the brand-name version is more effective than its generic counterpart. However, many doctors prefer the brand-name version due to its proven safety and effectiveness. It is important to keep in mind that this medication can be misused and should never be administered to a person who is not 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 proved. Some parents have said that their children react differently to generic versus name-brand methylphenidate. However, this is not necessarily true for every child.
Side effects
When starting medications to treat ADHD it takes a bit of time to find the proper dose. A doctor will be able to monitor your or your child's bodily reactions and make adjustments until they can find the most effective medication. These medicines are powerful and can cause side consequences, ranging from irritability and sleep disorders to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that contains methylphenidate, the active ingredient. It is a stimulant that increases levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, chemicals associated control and attention. It also improves your concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. adhd in adults medication can trigger serious heart issues, including stroke and sudden deaths in those who suffer from certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure as well as a history or cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin, like other stimulant medications can cause weight loss and a reduction in appetite. It may also cause a slight increase in the speed of your child's pulse as well as blood pressure. This can be a problem when you have a prior heart condition or have heart problems, so your doctor will keep close watch over your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include changes to mood, including anxiety and depression. These side effects can affect children's behavior, which is particularly challenging for children who are still young. In certain instances, it may cause tics or TouretteaEURtm(tm) which are repeated sounds or movements such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow growth in children and adolescents. sources is usually temporary and does not affect their final height.
There are several types of this medication, that are available with a prescription only. It could be a tablet that's swallowed, chewed or dissolving in a capsule opened and sprinkled on food or in a liquid. Some people choose to take a short-acting formula that lasts between three and six hours, while others take it long-term and require more dosage.
This medication can interact with other medications, like antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. It could also increase your or your child's risk of developing a potentially fatal side effect, such as angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications have the potential to interact with other medications or substances, which may alter their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful and even life-threatening. You should inform your doctor about all other medications you or your child taking, including prescription medications and vitamins and supplements. Ritalin can interact with certain antidepressants, specifically those that contain monoamine inhibitors of oxidase (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This can lead to severe side effects, including suicidal ideas or seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for people with circulatory problems like Raynaud's phenomenon or high pressure. It can also cause the onset of Tourette syndrome or tics in people who have these conditions.
Some fMRI studies have found that an acute dose of methylphenidate in medication responders during time discrimination and stop tasks increased activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and striatum 25. These changes were accompanied with normalization of the reduced activation in the same regions under the placebo and off-medicament conditions.
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 behavioral data suggest the mechanism is more complicated than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants in particular seem to hinder dopamine reuptake in certain areas like the striatum, but not in other areas like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination of stimulants and non-stimulants helped reduce ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in some patients the combination didn't work as well as the single drug. Most people don't need medication to deal with ADHD. Training in skills and behavior therapy can help many people learn more effective strategies for coping.
Clinical trials haven't proved that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both medications are chemically the same, so they should both have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also called Ritalin) is a stimulant of the central nervous system. It can enhance mood, focus and concentration when taken as prescribed. It has also been shown to be effective in treating ADD/ADHD and narcolepsy. It is possible to overdose with any substance that alters brain function. This could lead to stroke, heart attack, or coma. It is important to recognize the symptoms of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical care.
A Ritalin overdose can result from a variety of reasons. A person may consume too many pills since they forgot to redose their medication. Other substances may interact with the drug to enhance its effects, or they could be using it recreationally without knowing how to do it. Long-term Ritalin use can also lead to tolerance and psychological dependency that can lead addiction. Therefore those with an history of abuse of stimulants or other drugs should use Ritalin under the supervision of a physician.
People who are suffering from a Ritalin overdose should dial 911 immediately. They must be able to provide the emergency personnel with specific details regarding their dosage, when they were taking it, as well as any other medications or substances they consumed. The emergency response team can determine the best course of action to do to treat the person. They will usually use the stomach pump (a procedure referred to as gastriclavage) to eliminate any excess drug from the body before they can be absorbed in the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures, and anyone who is who is experiencing these symptoms should be monitored by medical professionals. They are treated with fluids and anti-seizure medications. Activated charcoal is also given to the patient in order to prevent the drugs from entering their body. If they feel hot, the medical staff can cool them down by using fans and mists of water in order to prevent hyperthermia.
If you have been prescribed Ritalin, store it in an area in a place where children aren't able to reach it. Ask your pharmacist if they have a drug-return program. Do not keep any expired or unused medicine. Instead, mix the expired medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and dispose of it.