Best Medication For ADHD
Teenagers and children taking ADHD medication tend to focus more effectively, have less impulsive and calmer. They also get on with schoolwork. Some experience a minor slowing of growth and experience an increase in blood pressure or heart rate while taking these medicines.
There are many different types of medication such as tablets, liquids, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). The most commonly used stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It is available in three forms: immediate-release sustained-release and extended-release.
Stimulants
Stimulants are a class of drugs that are effective in treating ADHD. These drugs aid in improving focus and attention by affecting certain neurotransmitters within the brain, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, often called the "secretary of the brain" because it assists in the planning and organizing skills.
Stimulants come in short- and long-acting doses. The short-acting drugs are most effective between 30 and 45 minutes and should be taken twice or three times a day. Amphetamines such as Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin are among these. Amphetamines are more potent and last longer, but they both function in the same way in improving focus and attention. Certain stimulant medicines are available in extended-release versions. These are a better choice since they last from 8 to 12 hours, and are generally taken only once a day. Certain of these medicines are powders that you mix with liquids to make a beverage, while others are pills.
Finding the right medication can take a bit of time. Your doctor will watch how you respond to the various types of drugs and alter the dosage as required. Drugs should only be used in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan, which should include support and behavioral therapy services.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications can take a bit longer to begin working, but can make you feel more in control and improve your ability to concentrate, impulsivity and focus. These drugs don't affect dopamine or norepinephrine in the way that stimulants do, and therefore can be more secure to use over longer periods of time. They can also have fewer negative effects, including constipation, heartburn, and decreased sex drive. The first of these medications to be approved by the FDA to treat ADHD is known as Strattera which is an inhibitor of selective norepinephrine. Your doctor might prescribe guanfacine. It is also known as Intuniv or clonidine. These are both medicines within this category.
Non-stimulant antidepressants that are off-label can also be prescribed to treat ADHD. These are older drugs in the tricyclic antidepressant group, such as Tofranil (imipramine). Doctors only suggest these drugs in cases where stimulants or other non-stimulants aren't working or cause too many adverse consequences.
Viloxazine and atomoxetine are prescribed by your doctor. These drugs do not have a direct effect, but help reduce impulsivity and improve concentration over time. These medications belong to a different class of drugs than the others and can cause adverse effects more info such as shaky hands or headache. Your doctor may also recommend an antidepressant with a low dose, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), that isn't FDA approved for ADHD treatment, but it can help improve concentration and reduce impulsivity. It may cause some uncomfortable but not always serious side effects like ringing or changes in vision.