Ten ADHD Stimulant Medication Myths That Don't Always Hold

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ADHD Stimulant Medication

Stimulant medications are the first option for treating ADHD. They have a long history of a strong response, a high tolerance, and safety throughout the entire life span.

It is crucial to find a medication and dosage that can ease your child's or your own symptoms without causing side effects. It can take a lot of trial and error, as well as a constant dialogue with your doctor.

Stimulants

Stimulants are drugs that increase activity in the central nervous system. They are extensively used as stimulants for cognitive enhancement and performance by students, athletes as well as artists and workers. They also serve to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, binge eating disorder, and other anxiety disorders. The most popular stimulant drugs are methylphenidates and amphetamines.

FDA-approved prescription stimulants are available in immediate-release and extended-release formulas. In the case of immediate-release, they are typically taken every four hours, as needed. When they wear off they can cause an abrupt and brief drop in energy. The crash can trigger extreme hunger, mood swings, and fatigue. Instant-release medication can also increase blood pressure and heartbeat in certain people. This is especially the case when they do not eat enough.

Extended-release medications are designed to release its active ingredients over 8-16 hours. This type of medication can be prescribed by your physician in case you're seeking long-lasting symptoms control without taking tablets several times per day. Ritalin Concerta and Focalin are all extended-release methylphenidate medications. Another alternative is the long-acting methylphenidate patch known as Daytrana which adheres to the skin as a band-aid and lasts for the entire day. This kind of medication can be prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD and require daily doses that last longer than the immediate-release options.

Stimulant medications don't cure ADHD, but they can help manage symptoms by improving the way neurons in the brain communicate with one other. They accomplish this by altering the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. This is done by blocking or binding to their receptors. This allows more neurotransmitters be released and assists in ensuring that messages between neurons are more efficiently transferred and received.

In addition to stimulants, doctors can prescribe antidepressants for ADHD. The majority of the antidepressants doctors prescribe for ADHD affect the levels of norepinephrine serotonin, and dopamine in your brain. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors are an excellent choice for people suffering from anxiety or depression. These drugs are typically combined with stimulants to enhance their effectiveness. Other reasons your doctor might switch you between stimulant and non-stimulant medication is if the previous medication isn't working, or produces unacceptably adverse side effects.

Long-acting

Stimulants can help 70% to 80% of children and adults with ADHD. They reduce symptoms such as fidgeting, arguing with others, and losing focus in conversations or tasks. They also enhance the quality of work and social abilities.

Stimulant medications begin to work once they pass through the blood-brain barrier which can take anywhere between 45 and 60 minutes. They boost the levels of Dopamine and Norepinephrine in brain cells, which reduces the amount of hyperactivity and impulseivity. A stimulant drug that is FDA-approved uses one of two molecules, methylphenidate, (Adderall Ritalin Vyvanse Concerta) or amphetamine, (Ritalin Adderall XR Vyvanse Vyvanse). These stimulants can cause adverse effects such as stomach upset decreased appetite, elevated blood pressure and heart rate headaches, as well as anxiety or nervousness. They can also make tics worse and cause sleep problems in certain people.

Long-acting stimulants (such as Strattera and Wellbutrin) are effective throughout the night and day unlike medications that last just several hours. They can also help with other conditions such as anxiety or depression.

The medications affect the way that your body regulates chemical known as monoamine oxides. Monoamine oxidases, or enzymes, break down dopamine as well as other neurotransmitters inside the brain. When these chemicals aren't broken down into smaller pieces, they remain in your body longer, which affects your behavior and mental state. Long-acting medicines can cause less negative effects. Your doctor may prescribe smaller doses of the drugs that you can take throughout the day.

Certain stimulants are available in extended-release form that you can consume once every day. This can be more convenient for some adults, but it's crucial to remember to take them every day.

Other medications have been proven to be effective for many people suffering from ADHD such as selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These are usually used for anxiety or depression however, they can be prescribed for ADHD and 70% of people are able to respond. Bupropion, also known as Wellbutrin is an SSRI approved for ADHD. It was proven to be more efficient in a controlled research than placebos. These medications can cause serious side effects, such as hearing ringing anxiety, and changes in vision, heart and lung function.

Short-acting

Stimulant medications reduce ADHD symptoms by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain. These two chemicals aid people to manage their behavior and stay focused. They are available in many forms, and each comes with its own brand name such as Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin and Concerta. There are two main types of stimulant medicines amphetamines, methylphenidates, and methylphenidates. They all have similar effects, but their duration of action varies. The methylphenidates have shorter-lasting effects that can last for up to three hours, whereas amphetamines provide longer-lasting effects.

Some people are better able to tolerate long-acting stimulant medications than those that use short-acting drugs, so your doctor may prescribe this kind of drug. It is crucial to know as much as you can about the medication. This includes any side effects, how often it should be taken, and any warnings. This will assist you and your doctor determine the best medication for you.

These medications may also cause adverse side effects, like insomnia or loss in appetite. Talk to your doctor in the event that you experience any of these side effects. You may have to alter your dosage or try another drug.

Adults suffering from ADHD, who do not respond to stimulants well can be treated with nonstimulant medications. These medications take longer to effect but improve the ability to focus and manage impulses. These drugs can be prescribed alone or in combination with stimulants.

The first one is atomoxetine (brand names Strattera and Qelbree) It is a stimulant of norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex which regulates behavior. Another is Guanfacine (brand name Intuniv) is a member to a class of drugs called alpha agonists. These drugs work by blocking Reuptake and increasing levels of brain chemicals in the bloodstream. Guanfacine was initially developed to treat high blood pressure, has now been shown to be effective in treating ADHD.

Combinations

People suffering from ADHD utilize a variety of drug combinations. This includes stimulants that are depressant-type drugs such as clonidine and guanfacine. These drugs are calming for the brain and can help reduce symptoms like insomnia and aggressive behavior. They can also reduce withdrawal symptoms from stimulants. This combination could be risky however, should it not be used correctly. Serotonin Syndrome is a drug emergency which occurs when there is an excess of serotonin here in the body. This combination can also increase the heart rate and blood pressure. People suffering from heart disease or high blood pressure are at higher risk of developing side effects from this drug.

Young adults and teens are increasingly taking stimulant-based combinations. These drugs are often referred to as "legal highs" and are readily available in pharmacies. They are also available on the black market. These substances can be hazardous, especially when combined with alcohol or other drugs. This is known as polydrug usage and is extremely risky. Mixing drugs can cause dangerous and unpredictable consequences, such as an increased heart rate, slowed breathing, hallucinations, paranoia seizures, and addiction.

Combination therapy is more effective than monopharmacotherapy for treating ADHD, according to a study. Combining medications improved the adherence of patients and helped them achieve more symptom relief than monotherapy. A majority of patients, however, stopped their treatment due to side effects. In some cases the medication was stopped due to sleep problems or worsening tics. This could be a result of poor diagnosis or a lack of access to medication.

Nonstimulants are also used to treat ADHD. They are effective in improving the ability to focus and impulse control however they are not as effective as stimulants. They are also less likely to inhibit growth and reduce appetite. Certain antidepressants are also prescribed for ADHD, but they have a lower chance of improving concentration and focus.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that atomoxetine and methylphenidate (Concerta) can be used together to achieve better results than either drug alone. Combining these two medications helped improve adherence and reduced adverse effects for the majority of people. The combination was also successful for adolescents and young adults. This combination could be a viable treatment for children with severe ADHD.