Expert Advice On ADHD Medication Ritalin From An Older Five-Year-Old
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ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medicine used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADHD). It improves the way parts of the brain communicate, thereby reducing ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can have negative side effects like diminished appetite and trouble sleeping. Most of these side effects are mild and will fade by themselves or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters regulate motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used for decades. It is considered safe when used in the dosages recommended under the supervision of a physician.
However there are reports of abuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at the therapeutic dosage level. Doctors must evaluate the risk for each patient and monitor their symptoms throughout the treatment. It is essential to inform patients and their relatives about the dangers of unused medications and the need to appropriately dispose of them. A locked medicine box is a good idea, since it will stop children from accessing and accidentally taking unused doses. It's also a good idea to tell patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication can cause suicidal thoughts or feelings, especially for those who suffer from bipolar disorder or depression or have a mental health history. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure that can lead to stroke or heart issues. If you experience chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating consult your physician immediately. Inform your doctor if you have is any family history of heart disease, sudden death or if you've ever had an accident or suffered from bleeding issues. This medication can cause numbness or discomfort in your toes or fingers. It can also make it hard to fall asleep.
It isn't known whether the brand-name version of the product is more efficient than its generic counterpart. However many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version due its safety record and effectiveness. This medication is susceptible to abuse, and should not be administered to anyone who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some claim that this medication is more effective than other. However this is only anecdotal evidence that is not yet scientifically proved. Some parents report that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate than brand name, however this may not be the case for all children.
Side effects
When you begin medication to treat ADHD it takes a bit of time to determine the appropriate dosage. A healthcare provider will monitor the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments in order to find the most effective medication. These medicines are powerful and may cause adverse effects, ranging from irritability to sleep problems to severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate and is a central nervous system stimulant. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which are chemicals that aid in control and attention. It also improves concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart problems including strokes and sudden deaths for people with certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure as well as the possibility of cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications, Ritalin can result in a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It can also increase your your child's pulse rate and blood pressure little. This could be a concern when you have a prior heart condition or heart problems as a result, so your doctor will keep close eye on your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. They can also affect the way you behave that can be particularly difficult for children who are just starting to take the medication. In some instances, it can cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm), which are repetitive movements or sounds such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow growth in children and adolescents. However this is usually only temporary and doesn't affect their final height.
This medication is available in various forms, but only with a prescription. It can be a tablet that is swallowed, chewed or dissolved in a capsule open and sprinkled onto food items or a liquid. Some people choose to take a short-acting formula that lasts from three to six hours, while others use it long-term and need more dose.
This medication could interact with other drugs such as antidepressants or monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. It may also increase your your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, called angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications are able to interact with other medications and substances, which could alter their effects. Certain interactions can be dangerous and even life-threatening. It is important to inform your doctor about all other medications you or your child is taking, including prescription medications and supplements and vitamins. Ritalin is known to interact with antidepressants, specifically those that contain 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, seizures, actions, and hallucinations. Ritalin should not be taken by people who have circulatory problems like Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It can also cause the adhd medication adults uk onset of Tourette syndrome or tics in people with these conditions.
Certain fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose of methylphenidate for medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks increased activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by normalization of underactivation in placebo and off-medication conditions in the same regions.
These results support the notion that methylphenidate causes its effects on behavior by increasing the amount of dopamine in the extracellular space and norepinephrine levels, which enhance performance in stop and time-discrimination tasks. However, additional studies of fMRI and behavioral evidence 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 some areas, like the striatum, but not other areas, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination of stimulants and non-stimulants helped reduce ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some cases, the combination did not perform as well as a single medication. Most people don't need medication to manage ADHD. Many people can learn better ways to cope through behavior therapy and skill training.
A few people have reported that brand-name Ritalin is more efficient than generic Ritalin however this hasn't been confirmed by clinical trials. The two medications are chemically identical, and they are likely to have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate more commonly referred to as Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that improves concentration, focus and mood when used according to the prescribed dosage. It has also been found effective in treating ADD/ADHD and the disorder known as narcolepsy. But, as with any drug that alters the brain, if it is misused or taken in large doses, overdose can occur. This can result in heart attack, stroke, coma, and other serious medical problems. Recognizing the signs of a Ritalin overdose is critical for preventing these symptoms and taking the appropriate steps to seek medical assistance.
A Ritalin Overdose can be caused in many ways. Someone may 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 affect the drug and increase its effect, or they might be using it for recreational purposes and aren't aware of how to dose it properly. Long-term Ritalin usage can result in tolerance and a psychological dependence that can lead to addiction. Ritalin is not recommended by those with an history of addiction to drugs.
People who are suffering from a Ritalin overdose should dial 911 immediately. They must be able to give the emergency responders specific details regarding the dosage, the time they used it, and the other drugs or substances they took. The emergency response team will be able to more accurately determine the best treatment for the patient. They will usually perform a stomach pump (a procedure referred to as gastriclavage) to eliminate any excess drug from the body before they can be taken up by the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures, and anyone who is who is experiencing these symptoms should be carefully monitored by a medical professional. They can be treated with fluids and anti-seizure medication. Activated charcoal is also administered to the patient in order to stop the drugs from entering the body. If they feel hot, the hospital staff can cool them down by using fans and mists of water to avoid hyperthermia.
If you have been prescribed Ritalin put it in an area where children can't reach it. You can also ask your pharmacist about a take-back program. Don't keep any expired or unusable medication. Mix the medicine you don't need with ground coffee or cat litter and then throw it away.