Best Medication For ADHD
Children and teenagers taking ADHD medication tend to concentrate better, be less impulsive and more relaxed. They also get on with schoolwork. Some experience a minor slowing of growth and experience an increase in blood pressure or heart rate when taking these medications.
There are a variety of medication such as tablets, liquids patches, capsules, and tablets (such as Daytrana). The most commonly used stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It's available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release amphetamine, and dextroamphetamine with 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, especially dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, which is often known as the "secretary of the brain" because it helps in organizing and planning skills.
Stimulants are available in short- and long-acting doses. The short-acting medications peak in 30 to 45 minutes and should be taken three or twice times a day. They include methylphenidates, such as Ritalin and Concerta amphetamines such as Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphetamines may be a bit stronger and last longer than methylphenidates however, they both function in the same way to improve concentration and attention. There are also extended-release versions of certain stimulant drugs. They are the best choice because they last between 8 to 12 hours and are usually taken once a day. medication for adhd of these medicines are powders that you mix with liquids to create beverages, while some are pills.
Finding the right medication can take a bit of time. Your doctor will monitor how you respond to the various types of drugs and adjust the dosage if needed. Drugs should only be used as part of a complete treatment plan, which should include support and behavioral therapy services.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a bit longer to work, but it can help you feel more in control, increase your concentration and impulsivity, and improve your concentration. These medications don't affect norepinephrine or dopamine like stimulants do. They are therefore able to be used for a longer time. These medications also have less adverse effects such as heartburn, constipation and a decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first medication that was approved by FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of the selective reuptake of norepinephrine. Your doctor may prescribe other medication from this category which include guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (Kapvay).
Non-stimulant, off-label antidepressants can also be prescribed to treat ADHD. These are older medications within the tricyclic antidepressant family, like Tofranil (imipramine). Doctors only suggest these drugs if stimulants and other non-stimulants aren't working or cause too many side negative effects.
Your doctor can also prescribe Atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medications don't have a direct effect, but they can help reduce the amount of impulsivity that occurs over time and increase concentration. These medications belong to a different class of drugs from the others and can cause negative side effects, such as shaky hands or headache. Your doctor might also recommend a low dose of an antidepressant known as bupropion (Wellbutrin) which is not a FDA-approved treatment for ADHD however it can help increase concentration and reduce impulsivity. It can have some unpleasant but usually not severe, side effects, including hearing ringing, or changes in vision.