This Week's Top Stories About ADHD Medication Ritalin
Wiki Article
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medication used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADHD). It improves the way parts of the brain communicate, which can reduce ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can cause side effects, such as sleepiness and a lack of appetite. However, most of these are minor and go away by themselves or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used since decades. It is considered to be safe when you take it in the prescribed dosages under the guidance of your doctor.
However there are reports of abuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at the therapeutic dosage level. Therefore, doctors must evaluate each patient for the risk and monitor these symptoms throughout treatment. It is crucial to inform patients and relatives about the dangers of not using medications and the need to properly dispose of them. It is best to utilize an enclosed medicine cabinet that will stop children from taking unneeded medication. It is also an excellent idea to inform patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication could trigger suicidal thoughts or actions, especially in people who are depressed, bipolar or have a history of mental illness. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. This medication may also raise your blood pressure, which could cause heart or stroke. If you experience chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating consult your physician immediately. Also tell your doctor if you have any family history of heart disease or sudden death or if you've ever suffered from any kind of bleeding or stroke. This medication could affect blood circulation, causing discomfort or numbness in your fingers or toes. It can also make it hard to sleep.
It is not known whether the brand-name version of the product is more effective than its generic counterpart. Many doctors still prefer the brand-name medication because of its effectiveness and safety. This medication is susceptible to abuse and should not be given to anyone who isn't suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people believe that this medication is more effective than others. However it is merely anecdotal evidence that is not yet scientifically verified. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to generic and name-brand methylphenidate. However, this is not necessarily true for all children.
Side effects
When starting medications to treat ADHD it takes some time to determine the appropriate dosage. A healthcare provider will monitor your child's body reactions and adjust until they discover the most effective dosage. These medicines are powerful and can cause side effects, ranging from irritability to sleep disorders to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate, and is a central nervous system stimulant. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, chemicals associated control and attention. It also increases concentration and reduces restlessness as well as hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart problems, such as sudden death and stroke in people with certain medical conditions, including heart rhythm disorders, high blood pressure and an history of cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Similar to other stimulant drugs, Ritalin can cause a decreased appetite and weight loss. It can also increase the blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. If you suffer from heart problems or an existing health condition, your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other side effects include anxiety as well as depression. These effects can affect children's behavior, which can be particularly challenging for children who are young. In some instances, it may cause symptoms such as tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which is repetitive movements and sounds, such as eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow growth in teenagers and children. This is usually temporary, and does not alter their height in the future.
The medication is available in a variety of forms, but only on prescription. The medication is available in the form of a tablet that can be chewed, dissolved, or swallowed. It can also come in the form of a capsule, that is opened and sprinkled on food or liquid. Some people choose to use a formula that is short-acting and lasts between three and six hours. Others take it long-term which requires a higher dose.
This medication may interact with other medications including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It could 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 medications or substances, which may alter their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful and even fatal. You should inform your doctor about all the other medications you or your child is taking, including prescription medications as well as vitamins and supplements. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, especially those containing monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts, actions, seizures, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for individuals with circulatory problems like Raynaud's phenomenon or high blood pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms for those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
A few fMRI studies have revealed that a high dose of methylphenidate given to medication responders during stop-and-time discrimination tasks boosted the activity 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 subactivation in the same areas during the placebo and off-medicament conditions.
These results support the idea that methylphenidate exerts its effect on behavior through the increase of extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine, which improve performance in stop and time-discrimination tasks. However, additional fMRI and behavioral data suggest that the mechanism is more complex than the increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to block the reuptake of dopamine in certain regions, like the striatum, but not 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. In some patients, the combination did not work as well as one medication. Medications are not the only treatment for ADHD and the more info majority of people don't require medication to manage the condition. Behavior therapy and skills training can help many people learn more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
Clinical trials have not confirmed that the name-brand Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both drugs are chemically the identical, and therefore should both have the same effects on a majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is a central nerve system stimulant. It can boost mood, focus and concentration when prescribed. It is also effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. Overdose is a possibility with any substance that alters brain function. This could lead to heart attack, stroke, coma, and other serious medical problems. It is crucial to identify the symptoms of an overdose on Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical care.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of reasons. For instance, a person could have a mishap and take too much medication because they do not remember to take a dose re-supplement. Other substances can interact with the drug, causing its effects, or they could be taking it for recreational purposes and not know how to dose it. Long-term Ritalin usage can lead to tolerance and psychological dependence that can lead to addiction. Therefore people with an history of using stimulants or other drugs should only use Ritalin under the supervision of a medical professional.
Call 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should know the dose, the time it was taken, and if they have consumed any other medications or substances. The emergency response team will then be able to better determine the best treatment for the patient. In general, they will pump the stomach, which is known as gastric lavage, which is used to eliminate any excess drug from the body before it can be taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical experts. Fluids and antiseizure medications are a way to treat seizures. Activated charcoal can also be given to the patient to prevent the drug from entering the body. If they are feeling hot, the staff at the hospital can cool them down by using fans and mists of water to avoid hyperthermia.
If you are prescribed Ritalin be sure to store it in a safe area where children cannot get it. You can also inquire with your pharmacist for a take-back program. Lastly, do not keep any expired or unused medication. Instead, mix the unused medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and throw it away.