12 Statistics About ADHD Medication Ritalin To Refresh Your Eyes At The Cooler Water Cooler
Wiki Article
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medication used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by improving the way parts of the brain communicate, thereby reducing ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can cause side effects, such as sleepiness and a lack of appetite. However, the majority of these are minor and go away on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for regulating motivation and cognition. 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.
However, there are reports of the abuse of this drug as well as 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 important to inform patients and their families about the risk of harm and the need for proper disposal of any unneeded medication. It is recommended to use a locked medicine box which will prevent children from accidentally taking unused medication. It's also a great idea to remind patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication can cause suicidal feelings or thoughts, especially in those who suffer from bipolar disorder, depression or have a mental illness history. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. This medication can cause an increase in blood pressure which can cause strokes or heart issues. If you feel chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating, contact your doctor immediately. Inform your doctor if you have is any 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 numbness or pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make it difficult to fall asleep.
It is not known whether the brand-name version is more effective than its generic counterpart. However many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version because of its safety record and effectiveness. It is also important to remember that this medication could be misused and should never be administered to a person who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people believe that this medication is more effective than other. However, this is only anecdotal evidence, and has not yet been scientifically proved. Some parents have reported that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate as opposed to brand name, however this may not be true for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to find 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 medications can cause side effects ranging from irritability, sleep problems and severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that contains methylphenidate as the active ingredient. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, which are chemicals that control and attention. It also increases your concentration and reduces anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin can cause serious heart problems including strokes and sudden deaths for patients with certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure as well as the possibility of cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications, Ritalin can result in a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It can also increase the blood pressure and pulse rate little. This could be a problem when you have a prior heart condition or heart problems and your doctor will be on watch over your heart rate and blood pressure.
Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. They can also impact behavior that can be particularly difficult for young children taking the drug. In some instances it can trigger tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which are repetitive movements and sounds such as eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow the growth in teenagers and children. It is usually temporary and doesn't alter their height in the future.
There are many kinds of this medication that are available on prescription only. The medication is available in the form of a tablet that can be chewed, dissolved, or swallowed. It is also available in the form of a capsule, which is then 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 prefer it to be long-term, which requires an increased dose.
This medication may interact with other drugs, such as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. This medication may increase the chance of developing angle closure glaucoma which is a potentially fatal adverse side consequence.
Interactions
Many medications are able to interact with other drugs or substances, which may alter their effects. Certain interactions can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Discuss with your doctor the other medications you or your child are taking, including vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter medications. Ritalin can interact with other antidepressants. This is particularly relevant for those that contain monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This can lead to severe side effects, including suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for people with circulatory problems like Raynaud's phenomenon or high pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms in those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
Some fMRI studies have found that an acute dose of methylphenidate in medication responders during time discrimination and stop tasks increased activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) and medial prefrontal cortex (MPC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the striatum 25. These changes were accompanied with normalization of the reduced activation in the same regions during non-medicament and placebo conditions.
These results support the hypothesis that methylphenidate exerts its behavioral effect by increasing the amount of dopamine in the extracellular space and norepinephrine levels, which enhance performance in stop and time-discrimination tasks. However, other studies of fMRI and behavioral evidence suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, specifically, are believed to block dopamine reuptake in specific areas, such the striatum but not in other areas, such the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased symptoms of ADHD in children who had moderate to severe cases. However, in a few patients, the combination did not work as well as the single drug. The majority of people don't require medication to deal with ADHD. Behavior therapy and skills training can help many people learn more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
Some people anecdotally report that brand-name Ritalin is more effective than the generic form however this hasn't been proven by clinical trials. Both drugs are chemically the identical, and therefore should both have the same effects on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate is also known as Ritalin is a stimulant of the central nervous system that can help improve focus, concentration and mood when taken as prescribed. It is also effective in treating narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and ADD. But, as with any drug that alters the brain, if misused or used in large quantities, an overdoses can happen. This can result in stroke, heart attack and coma as well as other serious medical issues. It is essential to recognize the signs of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical care.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of reasons. One could accidentally take too many pills due to the fact that they did not remember to refill their prescription. Other substances can interact with the drug to increase its effects, or they could be using it for recreational purposes, and not know how to dose it. Long-term Ritalin use can lead to tolerance and psychological dependency that can lead addiction. Ritalin is not recommended by those with a history of drug abuse.
Patients suffering from a Ritalin overdose should contact 911 immediately. First responders should be aware of the dose, the time 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 help the patient. They usually perform a stomach pump (a procedure known as gastriclavage) to remove any excess drug more info from the body before they are absorption into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. People who experience these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical professionals. Fluids and antiseizure medication are a way to treat seizures. Activated charcoal is also given to the patient in order to stop the drug from entering their body. If they feel hot, the hospital staff can cool them down using fans and mists of water to prevent hyperthermia.
If you have been prescribed Ritalin keep it in a location where children can't reach it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return-to-prescription program. Lastly, do not keep any unused or expired medication. Instead, mix the unused medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and dispose of it.