Best Medication For ADHD
Most children and teenagers who take ADHD medication find they concentrate better, are less impulsive, feel calmer and more focused with their school work. Some may experience a slight slowing in growth and could experience an increase in heart rate or blood pressure when taking these drugs.
There are a variety of medication such as tablets, liquids, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). The most commonly used stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It's available in immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts with extended-release.
Stimulants
Stimulants are a type of drugs that is effective in treating ADHD. These medications help improve concentration and attention by altering certain neurotransmitters in the brain, especially dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate the pre-frontal cortex that is often referred to as the brain's "secretary" because it assists in the planning and organization abilities.
Stimulants are available in short- and long-acting doses. The short-acting medicines have a peak effect in 30 to 45 minutes, and need to be taken two or three times per day. These include methylphenidates, like Ritalin and Concerta amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphetamines are more potent and last longer, however they all work in similarly in improving focus and attention. There are extended-release versions of a few stimulant drugs. They are the best choice because they last between 8 to 12 hours and are usually taken once a day. Some of these are a powder that you mix with liquid to create drinks, while others are in pill form.
It can take time to determine the appropriate medication for your child or yourself. Your doctor will monitor your response to different types of medicines and adjust the dosage if needed. Drugs should only be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, which should include support and behavioral therapy services.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications take a little longer to start working but they can make you feel more in control and increase your impulsivity, concentration and focus. These medications do not alter dopamine or norepinephrine in like stimulants do. They can therefore be used for a longer time. They also have less adverse effects, like constipation, heartburn and reduced sexual drive. Strattera is the first medication that was approved by FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of the selective reuptake of norepinephrine. Your doctor may prescribe guanfacine. It is also known as Intuniv or clonidine. These are both medications within this category.
Non-stimulant, off-label antidepressants are also available to treat ADHD. These antidepressants with tricyclic chemistry like Tofranil(imipramine) are used to treat ADHD. Doctors will only recommend these medications in cases where stimulants or other non-stimulants fail to work or cause too many side consequences.
Your doctor may also prescribe atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medicines do not have a direct effect however they can help reduce the tendency to be impulsive and improve concentration over time. They're in a different class than the other options, and they can cause some adverse effects, such as shaking hands or headaches. Your website doctor might also recommend a low dose of an antidepressant known as bupropion (Wellbutrin) which isn't an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but works well to improve concentration and decrease impulsivity. It can trigger some uncomfortable but not usually serious side effects like ringing or changes in vision.