Pay Attention: Watch Out For How Best Medication For ADHD Is Taking Over And What To Do About It

Best Medication For ADHD

Most teenagers and children who take ADHD medication notice they focus better and are less impulsive. They also feel calmer and more focused with their schoolwork. Some sufferers may experience a slowdown in their growth, or an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure when taking these medications.

The medications are available in a variety of forms, including capsules, tablets liquid, patches and tablets (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most well-known stimulant. It comes in three forms: immediate release, extended-release, and sustained-release.

Stimulants

Stimulants are one of the classes of drugs that are effective in treating ADHD. These drugs improve focus and attention by altering neurotransmitters, particularly norepinephrine as well as dopamine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, often known as the "secretary of the brain" because it assists in planning and organization abilities.

Stimulants come in short- and long-acting doses. The short-acting medications are most effective between 30 and 45 minutes, and need to be taken twice or three times a day. Amphetamines like Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates, such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin are among these. Amphetamines can be more potent and last longer than methylphenidates but both work in the same way to increase attention and focus. Certain stimulant medicines are available in extended-release formulations. They are a good option since they last between up to 12 hours, and are usually taken every day. Some of these are a powder that you mix with liquid to create a drink, while others are pills.

It can take time to determine the appropriate medication for your child or yourself. Your doctor will be able to monitor your response to different types of medication and alter the dosage if necessary. The use of medication should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes a combination of therapy and support.

Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a bit longer to work however it can help you feel more in control, increase your concentration and impulsivity, and improve your focus. These medications don't affect dopamine and norepinephrine the same as stimulants do, which means they can be safer to use over a longer period of time. These medications can also be less prone to side negative effects like constipation, heartburn and reduced sexual drive. The first of these medications to be approved by the FDA to treat ADHD is called Strattera and is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Your doctor may prescribe other medications from this group, including guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (Kapvay).

There are also non-stimulant antidepressants that can be prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. Tricyclic antidepressants from the past, such as Tofranil(imipramine), are used to treat ADHD. Doctors only suggest these drugs in cases where stimulants or other non-stimulants aren't working or cause too many side negative effects.

Your doctor may prescribe the atomoxetine (Prozac) or more info viloxazine (Risperdal). These medicines do not have a direct effect however they can reduce the impulsivity of people and increase concentration over time. They're in a different drug class than the other options and may cause certain side effects like shaking hands or headaches. Your doctor might also recommend taking a low dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin) which is not an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but can be effective to improve concentration and decrease the impulsivity. It may cause some uncomfortable but not always serious side effects, such as the ringing of your ears or changes in your vision.