ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant drug 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 cause side effects, such as sleepiness and a lack of appetite. However, the majority of these are mild and disappear on their own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which are important neurotransmitters partially responsible for regulating motivation, action, and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for decades. It is considered safe when used in the dosages recommended under the guidance of your doctor.
However there are reports of misuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at the therapeutic dosage level. Physicians must determine each patient's risk and monitor symptoms throughout the treatment. It is also essential to educate the patient and their family members on this risk of harm and the necessity of proper disposal of any leftover medication. Utilizing a locked medicine cabinet is a good idea, since it keeps children from gaining access and consuming doses that are not used. It's also a good idea to tell patients not to give their medication to anyone.
This medication may cause suicidal thoughts or actions, especially in people who are depressed, bipolar, or have an history of mental illness. Talk with your doctor right now if you exhibit any of these symptoms. This medication may also cause an increase in blood pressure that could lead to strokes or heart problems. Get your doctor's attention immediately when you experience a high heart rate, chest pain or sweating. Also tell your doctor if you have any family history of heart disease or sudden death or if you've ever suffered from any kind of bleeding issue or stroke. This medication can cause numbness or discomfort in your toes or fingers. It can also make it hard to fall asleep.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version is more effective than the generic version. However, many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version due to its history of safety and effectiveness. This medication can be abused, and should not be administered to anyone who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people claim that this medication is more effective than other. However this is only anecdotal evidence, and has not yet been scientifically proven. Some parents have stated 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 some time to find the proper dosage. A healthcare provider will monitor the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments in order to find the best medication. These powerful medications can cause adverse reactions that range from sleep disorders, irritability and serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate, and is a central nervous system stimulant. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, chemical compounds that are associated with control and attention. It also improves your concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart problems, such as stroke and sudden death for those suffering from certain medical conditions, like heart rhythm disorders as well as high blood pressure and an underlying cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Similar to other stimulant drugs, Ritalin can cause a decreased appetite and weight loss. It may also cause a slight increase in the rate of your child's pulse and blood pressure. If you have heart problems or a pre-existing health condition, your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other side effects include anxiety as well as depression. These side effects can affect the behavior of children, which is particularly challenging for children who are young. In certain instances it can cause the development of tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which are repetitive movements and sounds such as eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow growth in teenagers and children. However it is usually temporary and doesn't affect their final height.
The medication is available in various forms, but only with a prescription. It can be a tablet swallowed, chewed or dissolved, a capsule that is open and sprinkled onto food items or a liquid. Some people take an instant-acting formulation that lasts between three and six hours, while others use it for a longer time and require an increased dosage.
This medication can interact with other medications, like antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication may also increase the risk of angle closure glaucoma which is a potentially fatal adverse consequence.
Interactions
Many medications have the potential to interact with other medications and substances, which could alter their effects. Some interactions can be dangerous or even fatal. You should inform your doctor about all the other medicines you or your child taking, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements and vitamins. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, especially those containing monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This could cause serious side effects like suicidal thoughts and behaviors or hallucinations, seizures, or even seizures. Ritalin is not recommended for people who suffer from circulatory issues like Raynaud's phenomenon or high blood pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms in people with Tourette syndrome and tics.
Certain fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose of methylphenidate in medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks enhanced activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) and medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation during non-medication and placebo conditions in the same regions.
These results suggest that methylphenidate enhances performance in tasks of stop and timing discrimination by increasing extracellular norepinephrine and dopamine. However, additional fMRI and behavioral data suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to block the reuptake of dopamine in specific areas, like the striatum, but not in other areas, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mixture of stimulants and non-stimulants reduced ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in some patients the combination didn't perform as well as the single drug. Most people don't need medication to cope with ADHD. Many people are able to develop more effective ways to cope with the disorder through therapy for behavior and training.
Some people anecdotally report that brand-name Ritalin is more effective than the generic version however this hasn't been confirmed by clinical trials. The two medications are chemically similar, which means 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 focus, concentration and mood when used as prescribed. It has also been found to be 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 symptoms of a Ritalin overdose is vital to the prevention of these symptoms and taking the appropriate action to seek medical treatment.
add adhd medication can be caused in a variety of ways. For example, someone may accidentally take too much because they do not remember to take a dose re-supplement. They may also consume other substances that can affect the drug and increase its effects, or they might be taking it for recreational purposes and aren't aware of how to dose it properly. Furthermore, long-term use of Ritalin can lead to addiction and psychological dependence that could lead to addiction. Therefore people with an history of using stimulants or other drugs should only use Ritalin under the supervision of a doctor.
People who are suffering from a Ritalin overdose should call 911 immediately. They should be able give the emergency responders details about their dosage, when they took it, and what other drugs or substances they consumed. The emergency response team will determine the best course of action to do to treat the patient. They typically pump the stomach (a procedure known as gastriclavage) to remove any excess drug from the body before they can be taken up by the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures, so anyone experiencing these symptoms should be monitored by medical professionals. Fluids and antiseizure medication can be used to treat them. Additionally, the patient may be given activated charcoal to stop any further drug from circulating in the body. If they are feeling hot, the hospital staff can cool them down with fans and mists of water to avoid hyperthermia.
If you're prescribed Ritalin, make sure to store it in a secure location where children cannot reach it. You can also ask your pharmacist about a take-back program. Also, don't keep any expired or unusable medicine. Mix the medicine that is not used with ground coffee or cat litter and dispose of it.