The Worst Advice We've Ever Heard About ADHD Medication Ritalin
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medicine used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It improves the way that parts of the brain communicate, which reduces ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can cause side effects, such as suppressed appetite and trouble sleeping. Most of these side effects are minor and will disappear on their own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are vital neurotransmitters that are responsible for regulating motivation, action, and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used since decades. It is considered safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the supervision of a doctor.
However there are reports of the abuse of this drug as well as reports of addiction even at therapeutic dosage levels. Physicians must determine the risk of each patient and monitor symptoms throughout the treatment. It is essential to inform patients and their family members about the dangers of taking medications that are not used and the need to properly dispose of them. Using a locked medication box is a good idea, since it keeps children from gaining access and taking doses that are not needed. It is also a great idea to inform patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal feelings or thoughts, especially in those who suffer from bipolar disorder or depression or have a mental illness history. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. This medication may also raise your blood pressure, which can cause heart or stroke. Contact your doctor immediately if you have an elevated heart rate, chest pain, or sweating. Also, inform your doctor if you have any family history of heart disease or sudden death or if you've previously suffered any type of stroke or bleeding problem. This medication can cause numbness and pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make sleep difficult.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version is more effective than the generic version. However, many doctors prefer the brand-name version due to its safety record and effectiveness. It is also important to remember that this medication could be abused and should never be given to someone 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 that has not yet been scientifically proved. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to name-brand versus generic methylphenidate. However, this isn't the case for all children.
Side effects
When you begin medication to treat ADHD it takes some time to determine the appropriate dosage. A doctor will be able to monitor the body reactions of your child or yourself and make adjustments in order to find the most effective medication. These medicines are powerful and may cause adverse consequences, ranging from irritability and sleep issues to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate and is a central nervous system stimulant. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also improves concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart issues, including stroke and sudden deaths in those with certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure, as well as the possibility of heart attack and cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can cause a decreased appetite and weight loss. It can also slightly increase the rate of your child's pulse and blood pressure. If you have heart problems or an existing condition, your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. They can also affect the way you behave, which can be especially 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 such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also cause a slowing of growth in children and teenagers. It is usually temporary and doesn't alter their height at the end of the day.
This medication is available in several forms, but only with a prescription. It can be a tablet that is swallowed, chewed or dissolved in a capsule open and sprinkled onto food or a liquid. Some people use a short-acting formula that lasts from three to six hours, while others use it long-term and require a higher dosage.
This medication could interact with other drugs such as antidepressants or monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication may also increase the risk of angle closure glaucoma, a potentially deadly side effect.
Interactions
Many medications are able to interact with other drugs and substances, which can alter their effects. Certain interactions can be harmful or even fatal. Tell your doctor what other medications you and your child take, including supplements and vitamins as well as over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin can interact with other antidepressants. This is particularly the case for those with monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This could cause serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and behaviors as well as hallucinations, seizures, and seizures. Ritalin is not recommended for people with circulatory problems such as Raynaud's syndrome or high pressure. It may also aggravate symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in those with these conditions.
A few fMRI studies have revealed that a high dose of methylphenidate given to medication responders during stop-and time discrimination tasks increased the activity of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial cingulate cortex (MCC), anterior cingulate (ACC) and the striatum. These changes were also accompanied by normalization of the underactivation in the same areas during placebo and off medication conditions.
These results support the hypothesis that methylphenidate elicits its effect on behavior by increasing the amount of dopamine in the extracellular space and norepinephrine, which improve performance in stop and time discrimination tasks. However, additional studies of fMRI and behavioral evidence suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants in particular appear to inhibit the dopamine reuptake process in certain regions such as the striatum, but not in other regions, such the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination between stimulants and nonstimulants reduced ADHD-like symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some cases, however, the combination did not work like a single drug. Medications are not the only treatment for ADHD, and most people do not require medication to manage the condition. Behavior therapy and skills training can help a lot of people develop more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
Some people anecdotally report that brand-name Ritalin is more effective than the generic version, but this has not been confirmed by clinical studies. The two drugs are chemically similar, which means they should have the same effect on most people.
www.iampsychiatry.uk , more commonly known as Ritalin is a stimulant for the central nervous system that can improve concentration, focus and mood when taken 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 doses, overdoses can happen. This can lead to stroke, heart attack, or even coma. Being aware of the signs of a Ritalin overdose is crucial to the prevention of these symptoms and taking step to seek medical attention.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a variety of causes. One could accidentally consume too many pills since they forgot to refill their prescription. They might also consume other substances that may affect the drug and increase its effect or they could be using it recreationally and aren't aware of how to dose it correctly. Long-term Ritalin usage can lead to tolerance and psychological dependency that can lead addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those with a history of drug abuse.
Contact 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should know the dose, when it was taken and if they've consumed any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will then be able to determine how to treat the patient. They will usually use the stomach pump (a procedure referred to as gastriclavage) to eliminate any excess drugs from the body before they are absorbed in the bloodstream.
Ritalin can cause seizures. Anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical professionals. They can be treated with fluids and anti-seizure medications. Additionally, the patient could be treated with activated charcoal to prevent any further drug from entering the body. The hospital staff can cool the patient down by using fans or mists of cool water if they feel hot.
If you're given Ritalin be sure to store it in a secure place where children are not able to reach it. Ask your pharmacist if they have a drug-return program. Do not keep any expired or unused medication. Mix the unused medicine with cat litter or ground coffee and throw it out.