ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medicine that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It helps improve brain communication, which can reduce ADHD.
ADHD medication can have adverse effects, such as decreased appetite and difficulty sleeping. The majority of these side effects are minor and will go away on their o own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and other neurotransmitters within the brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for decades and is considered to be safe when doses are prescribed and administered under the supervision of a doctor.
However there are reports of misuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic dosage levels. Therefore, physicians need to evaluate each patient for the danger and monitor their symptoms throughout treatment. It is also crucial to educate patients and their families about the dangers and the need for proper disposal of any leftover medication. It is recommended to use a locked medicine box that will stop children from taking unneeded medication. It is also recommended to instruct patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication can cause suicidal thoughts or feelings, especially in those who suffer from bipolar disorder, depression or have a mental health history. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately. This medication may also increase your blood pressure, which could result in heart attacks or strokes. Contact your doctor immediately if you have an elevated heart rate, chest pain or sweating. Inform your doctor if you have is a family history of heart disease, sudden death or any time you've had bleeding or stroke issues. This medication may affect your blood circulation and cause the sensation of numbness or pain to your toes and fingers. It can also make sleep difficult.
It is not known if the brand-name version of this medicine is more efficient than the generic version. Many doctors still prefer the brand-name medication because of its effectiveness and safety. This medication can be abused and should not be administered to anyone who isn't suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people believe that this medication is more effective than others. However this is only anecdotal evidence, and is not yet scientifically proved. Some parents have said that their children react differently to generic and name-brand methylphenidate, but this isn't necessarily the case for every child.
Side effects
It takes time to determine the right dose when beginning treatment for ADHD. A healthcare provider will monitor the body reactions of your child or yourself and make adjustments in order to find the most effective medication. These powerful medicines can cause adverse effects that range from sleep issues, irritability and even severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant, which has methylphenidate as the active ingredient. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. These are chemicals that help with control and attention. It also improves concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can trigger serious heart problems including strokes and sudden deaths in people with certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure, as well as a history or heart attack and cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin as with other stimulant medications can cause weight loss and a reduction in appetite. It may also cause a slight increase in your child's pulse rate and blood pressure. If you have heart problems or an existing condition your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other adverse effects include changes in mood, such as depression and anxiety. These side effects can affect children's behavior, which is particularly challenging for children who are still young. In some instances it can cause the development of tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which is repetitive movements and sounds such as eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow the growth in children and teenagers. However, this is usually temporary and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
This medication is available in various forms, but only with a prescription. The medication can be taken in the form of a tablet that is chewed, dissolved or swallowed. It can also come in the form of a capsule which is opened and sprinkled on food or liquid. Some people use a formula that is short-acting and lasts between three and six hours. Others prefer it to be long-term which requires more dose.
This medication can interact with certain other drugs, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. This medication may also increase the risk of angle closure glaucoma which could be a fatal adverse side consequence.
Interactions
Many medications interact with other drugs or substances. This could alter the effects. Some interactions can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Discuss with your doctor the other medications you or your child is taking, such as supplements and vitamins as well as over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, specifically those that contain monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. adhd in adults medication can cause serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts, actions, seizures, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for individuals who suffer from circulatory issues such as Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It may also cause more symptoms in people with 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 striatum 25. These changes were also accompanied by normalization of the subactivation in the same regions under placebo and off medication conditions.
These results support that methylphenidate improves performance in tasks of stop and timing discrimination by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. However, additional fMRI and behavioral data suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to block the reuptake of dopamine in certain regions, like the striatum, but not other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased symptoms of ADHD in children who had moderate to severe cases. In some cases, however, the combination did not work as effectively as a single medication. Medications are not the only treatment for ADHD and the majority of people do not need medications to manage the disorder. Many people can learn more effective ways to cope with the disorder through therapy for behavior and training.
There are reports that the name-brand Ritalin is more efficient than generic Ritalin, but this has not been confirmed by clinical trials. Both medications are chemically the same, which means they will both have the same effects on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate is also known as Ritalin, is a stimulant for the central nervous system that can help improve concentration, focus and mood when used according to the prescription. It is also effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. But, as with any drug that alters the brain, if misused or taken in large quantities, an overdoses can occur. This could lead to heart attack, stroke, or coma. Recognizing the signs of a Ritalin overdose is crucial to stopping these symptoms and taking the necessary step to seek medical attention.
A Ritalin Overdose can be caused in many ways. One could accidentally consume too many pills since they didn't remember to take a dose retake. They could also be taking other substances that may affect the drug and increase its effects or they could be using it for recreational purposes and not know how to properly dose it. Furthermore, long-term use of Ritalin can result in dependence and tolerance that could lead to addiction. In the end people with an history of abuse of stimulants or other drugs should only take Ritalin under the supervision of a medical professional.
Patients suffering from a Ritalin overdose should dial 911 immediately. First responders should be aware of the dose, when it was taken, and if they have consumed any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will determine the best course of action to do to treat the person. They usually perform a stomach pump (a procedure referred to as gastriclavage) to eliminate any excess drug from the body before they are absorbed in the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures. People who experience these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical experts. Fluids and antiseizure medication can be used to treat them. Additionally, the patient may be given activated charcoal to prevent any more of the drug from entering the body. The hospital staff can cool the patient down with fans or mists cool water if they feel hot.
If you're prescribed Ritalin, make sure to store it in a secure place where children are not able to reach it. Ask your pharmacist if they have a drug-return program. Lastly, do not keep any unused or expired medicine. Instead, mix the unneeded medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and throw it away.