Best Medication For ADHD
Teenagers and children who take ADHD medication tend to focus more effectively, have less impulsive and more calm. They also get on with schoolwork. Some sufferers may experience a slowing in their growth, or an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure when they are taking these drugs.
There are many different types of medications that include liquids, tablets, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). The most popular stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It comes in three forms: immediate release, extended-release, and sustained-release.
Stimulants
One of the best medications for ADHD is a class known as stimulants. These medications improve concentration and attention by altering neurotransmitters, specifically norepinephrine and dopamine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, often known as the "secretary of the brain" because it aids in planning and organization skills.
Stimulants are available both in short-acting as well as long-acting dosages. The short-acting medications peak in 30 to 45 minutes and have to be taken 2 or 3 times a every day. Amphetamines such as Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates, such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin, are among these. Amphetamines can be more powerful and last longer than methylphenidates however, they both function in the same way to improve attention and focus. Certain stimulant medicines are available in extended-release forms. These are a better choice since they last from 8 to 12 hours, and are usually taken once a day. Some of these medications are powders that you mix with liquids to make a beverage, while others are pills.
Finding the right medication can take a while. Your doctor will monitor how you respond to the different kinds of medications and will alter the dosage as required. The use of medications should be done as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, which will include a combination of behavioral therapy and support services.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications can take a bit longer to begin working however they can make you feel more in control and boost your impulsivity, concentration and focus. These medications don't affect norepinephrine or dopamine the same way stimulants do. They are therefore able to be used for a longer time. These medications can also have less adverse effects, such as 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 a selective reuptake norepinephrine inhibitor. Your doctor could prescribe additional medication from this category, including Guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (Kapvay).
Non-stimulant, off-label antidepressants are also available to treat ADHD. These are older medications in the tricyclic antidepressant group, such as Tofranil (imipramine). Doctors only recommend these drugs in cases where stimulants or other non-stimulants fail to get more info work or cause too many adverse consequences.
Your doctor may prescribe atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These drugs don't have immediate effects however they can reduce impulsivity and improve concentration over time. These medications are in a different class of drugs compared to the others and can trigger side effects like shaky hand or headache. Your doctor might also recommend the use of a small dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin) which is not an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but can be effective to improve concentration and reduce the impulsivity. It may cause some uncomfortable but not usually serious side effects, including hearing ringing or changes in vision.