How To Get Better Results With Your Best Medication For ADHD
Best Medication For ADHD
The majority of children and teens who take ADHD medication report that they focus better and are less impulsive. They feel more calm and are able to get on with their school work. Some may experience a slight slowing in growth and could have an increased heart rate or blood pressure when taking these medications.
There are a variety of medications such as tablets, liquids, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). The most popular stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It's available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine dextroamphetamine and extended-release amphetamine salts.
Stimulants
Stimulants are one of the classes of drugs that are effective in treating ADHD. These drugs aid in improving attention and focus by affecting certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, often referred to by the term "secretary of the brain" because it helps in planning and organization skills.
Stimulants come in short and long-acting doses. The short-acting drugs peak within 30 to 45 minutes, and need to be taken 2 or 3 times per throughout the day. They include methylphenidates, like Ritalin and Concerta amphetamines such as Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphetamines are stronger and last longer, however they all work in the same way in improving concentration and attention. Some stimulant medications are available in extended-release formulations. They are the best choice since they last from 8 to 12 hours and are typically taken every day. Some of these medications are a powder that you mix with liquid to make a drink, while others are in pill form.
medication for adult adhd can take time to find the right medication for you or your child. Your doctor will monitor how you respond to the different types of medications and will alter the dosage as required. The use of medication should be a part of a complete treatment plan that includes behavioral therapy and support.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a little longer to take effect, but it can help you feel in control, improve your concentration and impulsivity and help you focus. These drugs don't affect dopamine or norepinephrine in the way that stimulants do, which means they can be safer to use for an extended period of time. They also have less side negative effects like heartburn, constipation and a decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these drugs that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of the selective reuptake of norepinephrine. Your doctor could prescribe additional medication from this category, including the guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay).
Non-stimulant, off-label antidepressants can also be prescribed to treat ADHD. These are older medications in the tricyclic antidepressant group, such as Tofranil (imipramine). Doctors only suggest these drugs when stimulants and other non-stimulants fail to work or cause too many side consequences.
Your doctor may prescribe Atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). medications for adhd do not have an immediate impact however they can reduce the amount of impulsivity and improve concentration. They're in a distinct drug class than the other options, and they can cause some side effects such as headaches or shaky hands. Your doctor may also suggest taking a low dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin), which is not an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD however it can help increase concentration and reduce impulsivity. It can have some unpleasant, but generally not serious, side effects, like ringing in the ears or changes in vision.