ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant drug that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by improving brain communication, which can reduce ADHD.
ADHD medications can cause negative side effects like diminished appetite and trouble sleeping. However, most of these are minor and go away by themselves or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters regulate motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used for a long time. It is considered safe when used in the dosages recommended under the guidance of your doctor.
However there have been reports of addiction and abuse when the drug is administered at therapeutic doses. Therefore, physicians need to evaluate each patient for the risk and monitor these symptoms throughout treatment. It is also important to inform patients and their families about the dangers and the necessity of proper disposal of any unused medication. Using a locked medication box is ideal 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 divulge their medication to anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts or behaviors, especially in people who are depressed, bipolar or have a history of mental illness. Discuss with your doctor right immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. This medication may also raise 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. Inform your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have previously suffered any type of bleeding issue or stroke. This medication may affect blood circulation and cause discomfort or numbness in your toes or fingers. It can also make sleeping difficult.
It is not clear whether the brand-name version of this medication is more efficient than the generic version. However, many doctors prefer the brand-name version due to its history of safety and effectiveness. This medication can be abused and should not be given to anyone who isn't suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some claim that this medication is more effective than others. However, this is only anecdotal evidence and is not yet scientifically proven. Some parents have reported that their children respond differently to generic and name-brand methylphenidate, but this isn't the case for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to find the correct dose when starting treatment for ADHD. A healthcare provider will monitor your child's or your own's bodily reactions and adjust until they can find the most effective medication. These medicines are extremely effective and can cause side consequences, ranging from irritability and sleep problems to severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate and is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It works by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. These are chemicals that help with control and attention. It also increases your concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can cause serious heart problems including strokes and sudden deaths for people who suffer from certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure and an underlying heart attack and cardiovascular disease.
Similar to other stimulant drugs, Ritalin can cause a decreased appetite and weight loss. It may also raise your your child's pulse rate and blood pressure slightly. This can be a problem when you have a prior heart condition or other heart issues, so your doctor will be on check on your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include changes to mood, including depression and anxiety. They can also affect the way you behave which is particularly difficult for children who are just starting to take the medication. In certain instances, it may cause tics or TouretteaEURtm(tm), which are repetitive sounds or movements like eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow the growth for children and teens. It is usually temporary and doesn't affect their final height.
There are many kinds of this medication which are available by prescription only. It can be a tablet that's swallowed, chewed or dissolved, a capsule that is open and sprinkled onto food items 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 an increased dose.
This medication may interact with other medications including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. This medication can increase the risk of angle closure glaucoma, a potentially deadly side result.
Interactions
Many medications have the potential to interact with other medications or substances, which may alter their effects. Some interactions can be dangerous and even fatal. Tell your doctor what other medications you or your child is taking, such as supplements and vitamins, as well as prescription medications. Ritalin can interact with some antidepressants. This is especially true for those that contain monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This could cause serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts, actions as well as hallucinations, seizures, and seizures. Ritalin should not be used by those with circulatory problems like Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It can also worsen symptoms for those suffering from 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) medial prefrontal cortex (MPC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by normalization of the reduced activation in the same areas during placebo and off medication conditions.
These results show that methylphenidate can improve performance in stop and timing discrimination tasks by increasing extracellular norepinephrine and dopamine. However, additional fMRI and behavioral data suggest that the mechanism is more complex than the increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, in particular, appear to hinder the reuptake process of dopamine in specific areas, like the striatum, but not others, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination between stimulants and nonstimulants reduced symptoms of ADHD 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. Skills training and behavior therapy can help a lot of people develop more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
Some people anecdotally report that name-brand Ritalin is more effective than the generic version however this hasn't been confirmed by clinical trials. Both drugs are chemically the same, which means they will both have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It can boost mood, focus and concentration when taken as prescribed. It can also be effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. However, like all substances that alters the brain, if misused or used in large quantities, an overdose can occur. This can lead to heart attack, stroke and coma as well as other serious medical issues. Being aware of signs of a Ritalin overdose is critical for stopping these symptoms and taking steps to seek medical assistance.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a variety of reasons. For instance, a person may overdose due to the fact that they don't remember to re-dose their medication. Other substances may interact with the drug, causing its effects, or they could be using it recreationally and not know how to dose it. In addition, long-term usage of Ritalin can result in addiction and psychological dependence that could lead to addiction. In the end people with an history of abuse of stimulants or other drugs should use Ritalin under the supervision of a doctor.
Call 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should know the dosage, when it was taken, and if they have consumed any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team can determine the best course of action to do to help the patient. Typically, they pump the stomach, a process known as gastric lavage, to remove any excess drugs from the body before it can be taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures, and anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should be carefully monitored by a medical professional. They can be treated with fluids and medications to prevent seizures. In addition, the patient might be given activated charcoal to block any further substance from entering the body. The hospital staff may cool the patient by using fans or mists of chilled water if they are feeling hot.
If you're given Ritalin, make sure to store it in a safe area where children cannot get it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return-to-prescription program. Don't keep any unused or expired medicine. medication for adults with add with ground coffee or cat litter and throw it out.