ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It improves the way parts of the brain communicate, which reduces ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can cause negative side effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, most of these are minor and disappear on their own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are important neurotransmitters partially responsible for regulating motivation as well as action and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for a long time and is considered safe in recommended dosages when administered under the supervision by a physician.
Nevertheless, there have been reports of abuse and addiction even when the drug is taken at therapeutic doses. Physicians must determine the risk of each patient and monitor their symptoms throughout the treatment. It is also crucial to educate patients and their families about the dangers and the need for proper disposal of any unused medication. Utilizing a locked medicine cabinet is ideal since it keeps children from gaining access and taking doses that are not needed. It is also a great idea to inform patients not to give their medication to anyone.
This medication may cause suicidal thoughts or behaviors particularly in those who are depressed, bipolar or have a history of mental illness. Consult your doctor away if you have any of these symptoms. This medication can cause an increase in blood pressure that can cause strokes or heart issues. Get your doctor's attention immediately if you have a high heart rate, chest pain or sweating. Inform your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have ever suffered from any kind of bleeding or stroke. This medication could affect blood circulation, causing the sensation of numbness or pain to your fingers or toes. It can also make sleeping difficult.
It is not known whether the brand-name version of the product is more efficient than its generic counterpart. However, many doctors prefer the brand-name version due its history of safety and effectiveness. It is important to note that this medication is a risk to abused and should never be administered to a person who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people have reported that this medication performs better than others, however this is only anecdotal and has not been proven scientifically. Parents have reported that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate versus brand name, however this may not be the case for all children.
Side effects
When you are first starting medication to treat ADHD, it takes some time to find the right dose. A healthcare provider will monitor your child's body reactions and make adjustments until they discover the most effective medication. These powerful medications can trigger side effects ranging from irritability, sleep problems and severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a nerve system stimulant, which has methylphenidate, the active ingredient. It works by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also improves concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart problems including strokes and sudden deaths in those who suffer from certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure, as well as an underlying cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease.
Similar to other stimulant drugs, Ritalin can cause a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It can also increase the blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. This could be a problem if you have a preexisting heart condition or heart problems and your doctor will keep close eye on your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include anxiety as well as depression. These side effects can also affect the behavior of children, which is particularly challenging for children who are still young. In some instances, it can cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm), which are repetitive movements or sounds like eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow the growth for children and teens. This is usually temporary, and does not alter their height at the end of the day.
This medication is available in various forms, but only with a prescription. It can be a tablet that is swallowed, chewed or dissolving in a capsule open and sprinkled onto food or in a liquid. Some people choose to take a formula that acts in a short time and lasts between three and six hours, while others use it long-term and require a higher dosage.
This medication may interact with other medications including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It may also increase your your child's risk of developing a potentially fatal side effect, such as angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications have the potential to interact with other drugs and substances, which could alter their effects. Certain interactions can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Tell your doctor what other medications you and your child take, including supplements and vitamins, as well as prescription medications. Ritalin is known to interact with antidepressants, especially those containing monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and actions, seizures, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for people with circulatory problems like Raynaud's phenomenon or high pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms in those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
Certain fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose of methylphenidate within medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks increased activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by normalization of the subactivation in the same areas during placebo and off medication conditions.
These results support the idea that methylphenidate causes its effects on behavior by increasing the amount of dopamine in the extracellular space and norepinephrine, both of which enhance performance in stop and time-discrimination tasks. However, other fMRI and behavioral data suggest that the mechanism is more complex than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine in some areas, like the striatum, but not in others, such as the frontal lobes.
In most effective adhd medication for adults , a mixture of stimulants and non-stimulants reduced ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in some patients, the combination did not work as well as the single drug. Most people don't require medication to manage ADHD. Many people can develop better coping skills through behavior therapy and skill training.
A few people have reported that brand-name Ritalin is more effective than the generic form, but this has not been confirmed by clinical studies. Both medications are chemically the identical, and therefore should both have the same effects on a majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate is also known as Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that improves focus, concentration, and mood when used according to the prescription. It also works in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. It is possible to overdose with any substance that alters brain function. This can result in heart attack, stroke or coma, as well as other serious medical issues. It is important to be aware of the signs of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of causes. Someone may accidentally take too many pills due to the fact that they didn't remember to redose their medication. They might also consume other substances that can affect the drug and enhance its effects or they may be taking it for recreational purposes and aren't aware of how to dose it correctly. Long-term Ritalin use can also cause tolerance and psychological dependence that could lead to addiction. As a result those with an history of using stimulants or other drugs should use Ritalin under the supervision of a physician.
Contact 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should be aware of the dose, when it was taken, and if they have taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team can then better determine what to do to treat the person. They usually pump the stomach (a procedure referred to as gastriclavage) to eliminate any excess drugs from the body before they can be absorption into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can cause seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical professionals. Fluids and antiseizure medication can be used to treat seizures. Activated charcoal can also be administered to the patient to stop the drugs from entering the body. The hospital staff can cool the patient down with fans or mists of cool water if they feel hot.
If you are prescribed Ritalin, make sure to store it in a secure area where children cannot get it. You may also ask your pharmacist for a take-back program. Do not keep any expired or unused medicine. Mix the unused medicine with cat litter or ground coffee and throw it out.