Can ADHD Medication Ritalin Never Rule The World?
Wiki Article
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It improves the way parts of the brain communicate, which reduces ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can have adverse effects, such as decreased appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, the majority of these are mild and go away on their own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are important neurotransmitters partially responsible for regulating motivation, action, and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for a long time. It is considered to be safe when you take it in the prescribed dosages under the guidance of your doctor.
However, there are reports of abuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at the therapeutic dosage level. Therefore, doctors should examine each patient for danger and monitor their symptoms throughout treatment. It is crucial to inform patients and their relatives about the dangers of not using medications and the need to properly dispose of them. A locked medicine box is ideal since it keeps children from gaining access and taking doses that are not needed. It is also recommended to instruct patients not to share this medication with anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts or actions, especially in people who are bipolar, depressed, or have an history of mental illness. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure that can cause strokes or heart problems. Call your doctor right away in case you are experiencing an elevated heart rate, chest pain, or sweating. Inform your doctor if you have any family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have previously suffered any type of bleeding issue or stroke. This medication can cause numbness and pain in your feet or fingers. It can also make sleep difficult.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version is more effective than the generic version. However many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version because of its history of safety and effectiveness. It is important to note that this medication can be misused and should never be given to someone who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people claim that this medication is more effective than others. However it is merely anecdotal evidence and has not yet been scientifically proven. Some parents have said that their children react differently to generic versus name-brand methylphenidate. However, this isn't the case for every child.
Side effects
It takes time to find the right dose when beginning medication to treat ADHD. A healthcare provider will monitor the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments to determine the best medication. These medications are potent and can cause side consequences, ranging from irritability and sleep problems to severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin has the active ingredient methylphenidate, and is a central nervous system stimulant. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also increases concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can trigger serious heart problems, including strokes and sudden deaths in patients with certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure, as well as an underlying cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can cause a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It may also raise your or your child's blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. This can be a problem if you have a preexisting heart condition or other heart issues as a result, so your doctor will be on watch over your heart rate and blood pressure.
Other adverse effects include changes in mood, including anxiety and depression. These effects can affect children's behavior, which is especially difficult for those who are still young. In some cases it can cause tics or TouretteaEURtm(tm) which are repeated sounds or movements like eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow down growth in children and adolescents. It is usually temporary and does not alter their height at the end of the day.
There are many kinds of this medication which are available by prescription only. The medication can be taken 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 over food or liquid. Some people use an instant-acting formulation that lasts from three to six hours, whereas others take it long-term and need more dosage.
This medication could interact with other medications such as antidepressants or monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors. It can also increase your or your child's risk of a potentially fatal side effect, such as angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications are able to interact with other drugs and substances, which could alter their effects. Some interactions can be dangerous and even fatal. Inform your doctor about any other medications you or your child are taking, including supplements and vitamins, as well as prescription drugs. Ritalin is known to interact with antidepressants, specifically those that contain monoamine inhibitors of oxidase (MAOIs).
MAOIs boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This could cause severe side effects, including suicidal thoughts, seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for individuals who suffer from circulatory issues like Raynaud's phenomenon or high pressure. It can also worsen symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in people who suffer from these conditions.
Certain fMRI studies have shown 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. These changes were also accompanied by normalization of the underactivation in the same regions under the placebo and off-medicament conditions.
These results support the notion that methylphenidate elicits 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. Other fMRI and behavioral data suggest the mechanism is more complex than increased norepinephrine and dopamine. Psychostimulants in particular appear to inhibit the dopamine reuptake in certain areas like the striatum, but not in other regions like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix of stimulants and non-stimulants helped reduce ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in some patients the combination didn't perform as well as a single drug. The majority of people don't require medication to deal with ADHD. Behavior therapy and skills training can help a lot of people develop more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
A few people have reported that brand-name 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 improves focus, concentration, and mood when used according to the prescription. It is also effective in treating narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and ADD. It is possible to overdose with any substance that alters brain function. This could lead to stroke, heart attack or coma. It is essential to be aware of 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 factors. For instance, a person may have a mishap and take too much medication because they forget to re-dose their medication. Other substances may interact with the drug, causing its effects, or they could be taking it for recreational purposes without knowing how to dose it. Long-term Ritalin use can also cause tolerance and psychological dependency that can lead addiction. Ritalin is not recommended by those with a history of drug abuse.
People who are suffering from a Ritalin overdose should dial 911 immediately. First responders should know the dosage, when it was taken and if they've consumed any other medications or substances. The emergency response team will then better determine what to do to treat the person. In general, they will pump the stomach, a process known as gastric lavage, which is used to get more info eliminate any excess substance from the body prior to it is taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical experts. They can be treated with fluids and anti-seizure medication. Activated charcoal may also be given to the patient in order to stop the drug from circulating into their body. If they feel hot, the hospital staff can cool them down with fans and mists of water to prevent hyperthermia.
If you have been prescribed Ritalin keep it in a location in a place where children aren't able to reach it. You can also inquire with your pharmacist about a drug take-back program. Also, don't keep any expired or unused medicine. Mix the medicine that is not used with cat litter or ground coffee and then throw it away.