ADHD Medication - Ritalin

Ritalin is a stimulant medication used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADHD). It works by improving the way the parts of the brain communicate, which reduces ADHD symptoms.

adhd anxiety medication medication can cause negative side effects, including sleepiness and a lack of appetite. However, most of these are minor and go away on their own or with time.

Dosage

Ritalin boosts levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and other neurotransmitters within the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant and has been used for decades. It is considered safe when you take it in the prescribed dosages under the supervision of a physician.

However there are reports of misuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic dosage levels. Therefore, doctors should evaluate each patient for the danger and monitor their symptoms throughout treatment. It is important to inform patients and their family members of the dangers of taking medications that are not used and the need to appropriately get rid of them. It is best to utilize an enclosed medicine cabinet which will prevent children from accidentally taking unused medication. It is also a great idea to remind patients not to divulge their medication to anyone.

This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts or behaviors, especially in people who are bipolar, depressed, or have an history types of adhd medication mental illness. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. This medication may also cause an increase in blood pressure, which can lead to stroke or heart issues. Contact your doctor immediately if you have 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 bleeding or stroke issues. This medication can cause numbness and discomfort in your toes or fingers. It can also make it difficult to sleep.

It is not known if the brand-name version of this medicine is more efficient than the generic version. However many doctors prefer the brand-name version due its history of safety and effectiveness. It is also important to note that this medication could be misused and should not be administered to anyone who isn't suffering from ADHD or narcolepsy.

Some claim that this medication is more effective than other. However it is merely anecdotal evidence and has not yet been scientifically proven. Some parents have reported that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate as opposed to brand name, however this may not be true for all children.

Side effects

It takes time to find the right dose when beginning treatment for ADHD. A healthcare provider will monitor your child's body reactions and adjust until they can find the most effective medication. These medications are potent and can have side consequences, ranging from irritability and sleep problems to severe cardiovascular events.

Ritalin is a drug that contains the active ingredient methylphenidate. It is an stimulant to the central nervous system. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, chemicals associated control and attention. It also improves concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin may cause serious heart issues, including stroke and sudden death in people with certain medical conditions, including heart rhythm disorders, high blood pressure and an underlying cardiovascular disease or cardiac arrest.

Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can result in a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It can also increase your your child's blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. If you have heart problems or a pre-existing medical condition, your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.

Other side effects include anxiety and depression. They can also affect behavior which is particularly difficult for young children taking the medication. In some instances, it may cause symptoms such as tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which is repetitive actions and sounds like eye blinking or throat clearing. It can also cause a slowing of growth in teenagers and children. However, this is usually temporary and does not affect their height at the end of the day.

There are a variety of kinds of this medication that are available with a prescription only. The medication can be taken in the form of a tablet that is chewed, dissolving or swallowed. It may also be available in the form of a capsule, that is opened and sprinkled over liquid or food items. Some people choose to use an ingredient that acts quickly and lasts between three and six hours. Some people take it for a longer time which requires an increased dosage.

This medication may interact with other drugs such as antidepressants or monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. It may also increase your or your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, called angle closure glaucoma.

Interactions

Many medications have the potential to interact with other drugs and substances, which can alter their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful and even life-threatening. It is important to inform your doctor about all the other medications you or your child taking, including over-the-counter medicines as well as supplements and vitamins. Ritalin may interact dealing with adhd without medication certain antidepressants. This is especially true for those that contain monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors.

MAOIs increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This could cause severe side effects, including suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for those with issues with circulation like Raynaud's phenomenon or high blood pressure. It may also cause more symptoms for those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.

A few fMRI studies have revealed that a high dose of methylphenidate given to responders to medication during stop-and time discrimination tasks increased the activity of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial cingulate cortex, anterior cingulate (ACC), and striatum. These changes were accompanied with normalization of the underactivation in the same areas during the placebo and off-medicament conditions.

These results support the notion that methylphenidate exerts its effect on behavior through the increase of extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine, which improve performance in stop and time-discrimination tasks. Other fMRI and behavioral studies suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Particularly, psychostimulants are believed to inhibit 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 ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in certain patients the combination did not work as well as the single drug. The use of medications is not the sole treatment for ADHD and the majority of people do not need medication to manage the condition. Many people can develop better ways to cope through therapy and training.

There are reports that name-brand Ritalin is more effective than the generic form, but this has not been confirmed by clinical trials. Both medications are chemically identical, so they are likely to have similar effects on the majority of people.

Overdose

Methylphenidate (also called Ritalin) is a central nerve system stimulant. It can improve mood, focus, and concentration when taken as prescribed. It can also be effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. However, like all substances that alters the brain, if misused or taken in large quantities, an overdose can occur. This can result in stroke, heart attack and coma as well as other serious medical issues. Recognizing the signs of a Ritalin overdose is crucial to preventing these symptoms and taking the appropriate step to seek medical attention.

A Ritalin Overdose can happen in various ways. Someone may accidentally take too many pills because they didn't remember to take a dose retake. They may also consume other substances that could affect the drug and enhance its effects or they may be using it recreationally and aren't aware of how to dose it correctly. In addition, long-term usage of Ritalin could lead to addiction and psychological dependence which can lead to addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those who have an addiction history.

Call 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. They should be able to provide the emergency personnel with details about their dosage, when they took it, and what other drugs or substances they took. The emergency response team will then be able to determine how to treat the patient. In general, they will pump the stomach, a procedure called gastric lavage, to eliminate any excess substance from the body prior to it can be taken into the bloodstream.

Ritalin may trigger seizures, and anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should be monitored by a medical professional. Fluids and antiseizure medications are a way to treat seizures. Activated charcoal may also be given to the patient in order to stop the drugs from entering the body. The hospital staff can cool the patient with fans or mists of cooled water if they feel hot.

If you're prescribed Ritalin, make sure to store it in a safe place where children are not able to reach it. Ask your pharmacist if they have a drug-return program. Lastly, do not keep any expired or unusable medication. Instead, mix the unneeded medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and dispose of it.