9 . What Your Parents Taught You About ADHD Medication Ritalin
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ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medicine used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADHD). It works by improving the way parts of the brain communicate, thereby reducing ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can have negative side effects like decreased appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, the majority of these are minor and disappear on their own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases levels types of adhd medication uk norepinephrine, dopamine and other neurotransmitters within the brain. These neurotransmitters regulate motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant and has been used since decades. It is considered safe when used in the dosages recommended under the guidance of your physician.
However there are reports of the abuse of this drug as well as reports of addiction even at therapeutic doses. Therefore, doctors must evaluate each patient for the risk and observe these symptoms throughout treatment. It is also important to educate patients and their families about the risk of harm and the necessity of proper disposal of any unneeded medication. A locked medicine box is ideal, as this prevents children from accessing and taking doses that are not needed. It is also a good idea to advise patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication could trigger suicidal thoughts, or actions, especially in people who are bipolar, depressed, or have an history of mental illness. Talk with your doctor right now if you exhibit any of these symptoms. This medication may also cause an increase in blood pressure that can lead to stroke or heart problems. Get your doctor's attention immediately when you experience an increased heart rate, chest pain, or sweating. Inform your doctor if you have is any family history of heart disease, sudden death, or any time you've had a stroke or bleeding problems. This medication can cause numbness and discomfort in your toes or fingers. It can also make it hard to sleep.
It isn't known if the brand-name version is more effective than its generic counterpart. Many doctors still prefer the brand name medication due to its safety and effectiveness. It is also important to keep in mind that this medication could be misused and should not be administered to a person who does not suffer from ADHD or narcolepsy.
Some claim that this medication is more effective than other. However, this is only anecdotal evidence and is not yet scientifically proved. Some parents have said that their children react differently to name-brand versus generic methylphenidate, but this isn't the case for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to find the right dose when beginning treatment for uk adhd medication. A healthcare professional will observe the body reactions of your child or yourself and make adjustments to determine the best adhd medication uk medication. These medicines are extremely effective and can have side consequences, ranging from irritability and sleep issues to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant, which has methylphenidate, the active ingredient. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, which are chemicals that control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can trigger serious heart problems including strokes and sudden deaths in people who suffer from certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure and a history or heart attack and cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin as with other stimulant drugs, can cause weight loss and a reduction in appetite. It can also slightly increase the rate of your child's pulse and blood pressure. This could be a problem in the event of a preexisting heart condition or heart problems and your doctor will be on watch over your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include changes in mood, such as anxiety and depression. They can also affect the way you behave which is particularly difficult for children who are taking the drug. 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 slow growth in children and adolescents. It is usually temporary and doesn't alter their height in the future.
This medication is available in various forms, but only on prescription. The medication can be taken in the form of a tablet that is chewed, dissolved or swallowed. It is also available in the form of a capsule which is then opened and sprinkled on liquid or food items. Some people take a formula that acts in a short time and lasts for about three to six hours, while others use it long-term and require more dosage.
This medication can interact with other drugs like antidepressants and monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors. It could also increase your or your child's risk of a potentially fatal side effect, called angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other drugs or substances. This can change the effects. Some interactions can be dangerous and even life-threatening. You should inform your doctor about all the other medications you or your child are taking, including prescription drugs and supplements and vitamins. Ritalin is known to interact with antidepressants, specifically those that contain monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts, seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin should not be used by people who have circulatory problems like Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms in those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
Certain fMRI studies have shown that a high dose of methylphenidate administered to patients responding to medication during stop-and-time discrimination tasks increased activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial cingulate cortex, anterior cingulate (ACC), and the striatum. These changes were also accompanied by normalization of the underactivation in the same areas during the placebo and off-medicament conditions.
These results support that methylphenidate improves performance in the tasks of stopping and timing discrimination by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Other fMRI and behavioral studies suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than increased norepinephrine and dopamine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to block the reuptake of dopamine in specific areas, like the striatum, but not in other areas, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased symptoms of ADHD in children who had moderate to severe cases. However, in a few patients the combination did not perform as well as a single drug. The use of medications is not the sole treatment for ADHD, and most people don't require medication to manage the disorder. Behavior therapy and skills training can assist many people in learning better coping strategies.
There are reports that name-brand Ritalin is more effective than the generic form however this hasn't been confirmed by clinical studies. Both medications are chemically identical, and they are likely to have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It can enhance mood, focus and concentration when taken as prescribed. It has also been proven effective in treating ADD/adhd medication ritalin (Recommended Website) as well as narcolepsy. However, like any substance that alters the brain, if misused or used in large doses, overdose can occur. This can result in heart attack, stroke and coma as well as other serious medical issues. Being aware of the symptoms of a Ritalin overdose is critical for preventing these symptoms and taking the appropriate step to seek medical attention.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of factors. A person may consume too many pills since they didn't remember to refill their prescription. Other substances may interact with the drug to increase its effects, or they may be taking it for recreational purposes without knowing how to dose it. Furthermore, long-term use of Ritalin can lead to addiction and psychological dependence that can cause addiction. In the end those with a history of abusing stimulants or other drugs should only use Ritalin under the supervision of a doctor.
Anyone suffering from a Ritalin overdose should call 911 immediately. First responders should be aware of the dose, the time it was taken and if they've taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will then better determine what to do to treat the patient. They typically use the stomach pump (a procedure called gastriclavage) to remove any excess drug from the body before they can be absorbed in the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures, so anyone suffering from these symptoms should be carefully monitored by a medical professional. Fluids and antiseizure medication are a way to treat them. In addition, the person might be given activated charcoal to block any further drug from entering the body. If they are feeling hot, the staff at the hospital can cool them down using fans and mists of water in order to prevent hyperthermia.
If you have been prescribed Ritalin put it in a place where children can't reach it. Ask your pharmacist if they have a drug-return program. Also, don't keep any expired or unused medication. Instead, mix the expired medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and throw it away.
