A Provocative Rant About ADHD Medication Ritalin
Wiki Article
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It works by improving the way that parts of the brain communicate, thereby reducing ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can cause negative side effects, including sleepiness and a lack of appetite. Most of these side effects are minor and will fade by themselves or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used for a long time. It is considered safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the supervision of your doctor.
However there are reports of the abuse of this drug as well as reports of addiction even at therapeutic doses. Therefore, physicians need to assess each patient for risk and monitor these symptoms throughout treatment. It is also important to inform patients and their families on this risk of harm and the necessity of proper disposal of any leftover medication. It is best to utilize an enclosed medicine cabinet that will stop children from taking unneeded medication. It's also a great idea to inform patients not to give their medication to anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts or behaviors particularly in those who are depressed, bipolar or have a history of mental illness. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. This medication may also raise your blood pressure, which can result in heart attacks or strokes. If you feel chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, or excessive sweating, consult your physician immediately. Inform your doctor if you have is an ancestor with a history of heart disease, sudden death, or any time you've had an accident or suffered from bleeding issues. This medication can cause numbness or discomfort in your toes or fingers. It can also make it difficult to sleep.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version is more effective than the generic version. Many doctors still prefer the brand-name version because of its effectiveness and safety. It is also important to note that this medication could be misused and should never be administered to anyone who isn't suffering from ADHD or narcolepsy.
Some people have reported that this medication works better than others, but this is just anecdotal evidence and has not been proven scientifically. Some parents have reported that their children respond differently to generic and name-brand methylphenidate, but this is not necessarily true for all children.
Side effects
When you are first starting medication to treat ADHD, it takes some time to determine the appropriate dosage. A healthcare professional will observe the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments to determine the best medication. These powerful medications can cause side effects ranging from irritability, sleep problems and serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin has the active ingredient methylphenidate. It is a central nervous system stimulant. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, chemicals associated control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and decreases anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin may cause serious heart problems, such as stroke and sudden death in those with certain medical conditions, such as heart rhythm disturbances as well as high blood pressure and a history of cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin as with other stimulant medications can cause weight loss and a reduction in appetite. It may also raise the pulse rate and blood pressure slightly. This could be a concern in the event of a preexisting heart condition or other heart issues, so your doctor will be on check on your heart rate and blood pressure.
Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. These side effects can affect children's behavior, which can be particularly challenging for children who are young. In some cases, it may cause tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which is repetitive actions and sounds like eye blinking or throat clearing. It can also slow growth in children and adolescents. This is usually temporary, and does not affect their final height.
There are a variety of kinds of this medication that are available on prescription only. The medication is available in the form of a tablet that is chewed, dissolving or swallowed. It is also available in the form of a capsule, which is opened and sprinkled on liquid or food items. Some people choose to take an instant-acting formulation that lasts between three and six hours, whereas others take it for a longer time and require a higher dose.
This medication may interact with other drugs including monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It may also increase your or your child's risk of a potentially fatal side effect, such as angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other substances or drugs. This could alter the effects. Some interactions can be dangerous, even deadly. Inform your doctor about any other medications you and your child are taking, including vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter medications. Ritalin can interact with other antidepressants. This is especially relevant for those that contain monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This can lead to serious side effects like suicidal thoughts and behaviors or hallucinations, seizures, or even seizures. Ritalin is not recommended for individuals with issues with circulation such as Raynaud's syndrome or high pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms for those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
Some fMRI studies have found that an acute dose of methylphenidate for medication responders during time here discrimination and stop tasks increased 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 regions under the placebo and off-medicament conditions.
These results support the notion that methylphenidate causes its effects on behavior through the increase of extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine levels, which enhance performance in stop and time-discrimination tasks. However, additional research on fMRI and behavior suggest that the mechanism is more complex than increased dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, specifically, seem to hinder dopamine reuptake in specific areas like the striatum, but not in other areas, such the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in certain patients, the combination did not perform as well as the single drug. The use of medications is not the sole treatment for ADHD and the majority of people don't require medication to manage the condition. Many people can learn better ways to cope through behavior therapy and skill training.
Clinical trials have not confirmed that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. The two medications are chemically identical, and they are likely to have the same effect on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate more commonly referred to as Ritalin is a stimulant for the central nervous system that can improve concentration, focus, and mood when used according to the prescription. It also works in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. But, as with any drug that alters the brain, if misused or used in large amounts, overdoses can occur. This could lead to stroke, heart attack or coma. It is crucial to be aware of the signs of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin overdose can result from a variety of causes. For example, someone may accidentally take too much because they forget to re-dose their medication. Other substances can interact with the drug to increase its effects, or they could be using it for recreational purposes, and not know how to dose it. Furthermore, long-term use of Ritalin can lead to tolerance and psychological dependence which can lead to addiction. In the end people with a history of abusing stimulants or other drugs should use Ritalin under the supervision of a medical professional.
Contact 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should be aware of the dose, the time it was taken and if they've consumed any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team can then better determine what to do to help the patient. They typically use the stomach pump (a procedure referred to as gastriclavage) to remove any excess drug from the body before they are absorbed in the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures. People who experience these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical professionals. They can be treated by taking fluids and anti-seizure medication. Activated charcoal can also be administered to the patient to prevent the drug from circulating into their body. If they feel hot, the staff at the hospital can cool them down using fans and mists of water in order to prevent hyperthermia.
If you're given Ritalin be sure to keep it in a secure location where children cannot reach it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return-to-prescription program. Also, don't keep any unused or expired medicine. Instead, mix the expired medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and throw it away.