This Week's Most Popular Stories About ADHD Medication Ritalin
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ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant drug used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADHD). It works by improving the way that parts of the brain communicate, thereby reducing ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can cause negative side effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. Most of these side effects are minor and will fade by themselves or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are key neurotransmitters that are responsible for regulating motivation actions, cognition, and motivation. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for decades. It is considered to be safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the guidance of your physician.
Nevertheless there have been reports of addiction and abuse when the drug is used in therapeutic doses. Doctors must evaluate the risk of each patient and monitor symptoms throughout the treatment. It is essential to inform patients and their relatives about the dangers of not using medications and the need to properly get rid of them. It is best to use an enclosed medicine cabinet, which prevents children from taking unneeded medication. It's also a great idea to inform patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts or actions particularly in those who are bipolar, depressed or have an history of mental illness. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. This medication may also raise your blood pressure, which could cause heart or stroke. Contact your doctor immediately if you have an elevated heart rate, chest pain, or sweating. Tell your doctor if there is an ancestor with a history of heart disease, sudden death or any time you've had an accident or suffered from bleeding issues. This medication can affect your blood circulation and cause discomfort or numbness in your fingers or toes. It can also make sleeping difficult.
It isn't known if the brand-name version is more efficient than its generic counterpart. However many doctors prefer the brand-name version because of its history of safety and effectiveness. It is important to keep in mind that this medication could be misused and should not be given to someone who is not suffering from ADHD or narcolepsy.
Some people claim that this medication is more effective than other. However it is merely anecdotal evidence and has not yet been scientifically verified. Some parents have reported that their children respond differently to generic and name-brand methylphenidate. However, this isn't the case for every child.
Side effects
When starting medications to treat ADHD it takes some time to find the proper dosage. A doctor will be able to monitor the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments to find the most effective treatment. These medicines are powerful and can cause side effects, from irritability and sleep disorders to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate, and is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It is a stimulant that increases levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, which are chemicals that control and attention. It also increases concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin may cause serious heart problems, including stroke and sudden death in those with certain medical conditions, including heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure and an underlying heart attack or cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin, like other stimulant drugs, can cause weight loss and a decrease in appetite. It can also slightly increase your child's pulse rate and blood pressure. This can be a problem if you have a preexisting heart condition or have heart problems as a result, so your doctor will be on eye on your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. These side effects can affect children's behavior, which is especially difficult for those who are still young. In some cases it can cause 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 adolescents and children. This is usually temporary and doesn't alter their height at the end of the day.
There are many forms of this medication, that are available with a prescription only. The medication can be taken in the form of a tablet that is chewed, dissolved or swallowed. It is also available in the form of a capsule, which is then opened and sprinkled over food or liquid. Some people use an instant-acting formulation that lasts between three and six hours, while others use it long-term and need a higher dose.
This medication may interact with other drugs such as antidepressants or monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication can also increase the risk of angle closure glaucoma which is a potentially fatal side result.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other drugs or substances. This can alter their effects. Certain interactions can be harmful or even fatal. It is important to inform your doctor about all other medicines you or your child taking, including prescription drugs and vitamins and supplements. Ritalin can interact with some antidepressants. This is especially true for those that contain monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This can lead to serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin should not be used by those with issues with circulation, such as Raynaud's phenomenon or high blood pressure. It can also worsen symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in those who have these conditions.
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 (MCC), anterior cingulate (ACC) and striatum. here These changes were accompanied by normalization of underactivation when compared to non-medication and placebo conditions in the same regions.
These results support the hypothesis that methylphenidate elicits its effects on behavior through the increase of extracellular dopamine 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 increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Particularly, psychostimulants are believed to block the reuptake of dopamine in certain areas, like the striatum, but not other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination between stimulants and nonstimulants reduced ADHD-like symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in a few patients the combination didn't perform as well as a single drug. The majority of people don't require medication to manage ADHD. Behavior therapy and skills training can assist many people in learning more effective strategies for coping.
Clinical trials haven't proven that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both drugs are chemically same, so they should both have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate is also known as Ritalin, is a stimulant of the central nervous system that can improve focus, concentration and mood when taken according to the prescription. It has also been found effective in treating ADD/ADHD as well as Narcolepsy. However, like any substance that alters the brain, if it is misused or taken in large doses, overdoses can happen. This could lead to stroke, heart attack, coma, and other serious medical issues. It is essential to recognize the symptoms of an overdose on Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin overdose can result from a variety of reasons. One could accidentally take too many pills due to the fact that they did not remember to redose their medication. They might also consume other substances that could interfere with the drug and increase its effect or they may be taking it for recreational purposes and not know how to properly dose it. In addition, long-term usage of Ritalin can lead to dependence and tolerance that can cause addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those who have an addiction history.
Anyone suffering from a Ritalin overdose should dial 911 immediately. They must be able to provide the emergency personnel with details about their dosage, when they were taking it, as well as any other medications or substances they consumed. The emergency response team will then be able to decide on the best way to treat the patient. They usually use the stomach pump (a procedure known as gastriclavage) to eliminate any excess drugs from the body before they are absorption into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical professionals. Fluids and antiseizure medication are a way to treat them. In addition, the person might be given activated charcoal to stop any more of the drug from circulating in the body. The hospital staff may cool the patient with fans or mists of chilled water if they are feeling hot.
If you're given Ritalin be sure to store it in a secure location where children cannot reach it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return program. Also, don't keep any unused or expired medicine. Mix the medicine you don't need with ground coffee or cat litter and then throw it away.