Best Medication For ADHD
Most teenagers and children who are taking ADHD medication find they concentrate better and are less impulsive. They also feel calmer and more focused with their school work. Some individuals may experience a slight slowing in their growth, or an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure when they are taking these drugs.
There are many different types of medicines, including tablets, liquids patches, capsules, and tablets (such as Daytrana). The most frequently used stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It is available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine dextroamphetamine and extended-release amphetamine salts.
Stimulants
One of the most effective treatments for ADHD is a class known as stimulants. These drugs improve focus and attention by affecting neurotransmitters, specifically norepinephrine and dopamine. These are the chemicals that regulate the pre-frontal cortex region that is often referred to as the brain's "secretary" because it helps in the planning and organization skills.
Stimulants come in short- and long-acting doses. The short-acting medicines are most effective between 30 and 45 minutes and should be taken two or three times per day. Amphetamines such as Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates, such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin are among them. Amphetamines can be more potent and last longer than methylphenidates, but both work in the same way to improve attention and focus. There are extended-release versions of a few stimulant drugs. These are a better choice since they last from 8 to 12 hours and are generally taken only once a day. Some of these are powders that you mix with liquids to create drinks, while others are pills.
Finding the right medication may take some time. Your doctor will watch how you respond to the various types of drugs and adjust the dosage as needed. The use of medicines should be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes support and behavioral therapy.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications take a little longer to begin working but they can make you feel more in control and increase your impulsivity, concentration and focus. These medications don't affect dopamine and norepinephrine in the same way that stimulants do, which means they can be safer to use for an extended period of time. These medications also have less adverse negative effects like heartburn, constipation and a decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these medications that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of the selective reuptake of norepinephrine. Your doctor might prescribe other medications from this group which include Guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (Kapvay).
Off-label, non-stimulant antidepressants are also available to treat ADHD. These older tricyclic antidepressants, such as Tofranil(imipramine) are used to treat ADHD. Doctors only suggest these drugs in cases get more info where stimulants or other non-stimulants don't work or cause too many adverse effects.
Your doctor can prescribe Atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medications do not have a direct effect however they can reduce the tendency to be impulsive and improve concentration over time. These drugs are part of a different class of drugs than the others and can cause adverse effects such as shaky hands or headache. Your doctor might also recommend taking a low dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin) which is not a FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but can be effective to improve concentration and decrease the impulsivity. It can cause some unpleasant but not always serious side effects such as hearing loss or changes in vision.