ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medication that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by improving brain communication, which decreases ADHD.
ADHD medications can have adverse effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. The majority of these side effects are minor and will fade on their o own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are key 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 supervision of your physician.
However, there are reports of the abuse of this drug as well as reports of addiction even at the therapeutic dosage level. Physicians must assess the risk for each patient and monitor the symptoms throughout treatment. It is also essential to educate the patient and their family members about the dangers and the necessity of proper disposal of any unneeded medication. Using a locked medication box is ideal since it prevents children from accessing and consuming doses that are not used. It is also a great idea to inform patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal feelings or thoughts, especially in those who suffer from bipolar disorder, depression or have a mental health history. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. This medication may also raise your blood pressure, which could result in heart attacks or strokes. Call your doctor right away when you experience an increased heart rate, chest pain or sweating. Also tell 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 may alter your blood circulation and cause numbness or pain in your fingers or toes. It can also make sleeping difficult.
It is not known whether the brand-name version of the product is more efficient than its generic counterpart. However, many doctors prefer the brand-name version due to its history of safety and effectiveness. It is important to note that this medication could be misused and should not be administered to anyone who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
visit the following internet page have reported that this medication performs better than others, however this is just anecdotal evidence and has not been proven scientifically. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to generic versus name-brand methylphenidate. However, this is not necessarily true for all children.
Side effects
When starting medications to treat ADHD it takes a bit of time to find the right dose. A healthcare provider will monitor your child's body reactions and make adjustments until they can find the most effective dosage. These powerful medicines can cause side effects ranging from sleep disorders, irritability and severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nerve system stimulant, which has methylphenidate as the active ingredient. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. These are chemicals that help with control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and decreases anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin can trigger serious heart problems including strokes and sudden deaths in those with certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure and an underlying heart attack and cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin as with other stimulant medications, can cause weight loss and a decrease in appetite. It may also cause a slight increase in the rate of your child's pulse and blood pressure. This could be a problem when you have a prior heart condition or other heart issues, so your doctor will be on eye on your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other adverse effects include changes in mood, such as anxiety and depression. They can also impact behavior that can be particularly difficult for children who are just starting to take the drug. In some cases it can cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm) which are repeated sounds or movements, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also cause a slowing of growth in children and teenagers. This is usually temporary, and does not alter their height in the future.
There are many types of this medication, which are available by prescription only. It can be a tablet swallowed, chewed on or dissolved in a capsule opened and sprinkled on food items or a 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 and require a higher dose.
This medication may interact with other medications, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It can also increase your or your child's risk of developing a potentially fatal side effect, angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications are able to interact with other drugs and substances, which could alter their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful and even fatal. Discuss with your doctor the other medications you or your child take, including supplements and vitamins, as well as prescription medications. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, particularly those that contain monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for people with issues with circulation such as Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms in those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
Some fMRI research has found that a high dose of methylphenidate administered to patients responding to medication during stop-and-time discrimination tasks boosted activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial cingulate cortex, anterior cingulate (ACC) and the striatum. These changes were also accompanied by normalization of the reduced activation in the same regions during the placebo and off-medicament conditions.
These results support the hypothesis that methylphenidate elicits its effect 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 studies suggest the mechanism is more complicated than increased norepinephrine and dopamine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to block the reuptake of dopamine in certain areas, such as the striatum, but not others, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination of stimulants and nonstimulants helped reduce ADHD-like symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some patients, however, the combination did not work as effectively as a single drug. Most people don't require medication to manage ADHD. Skills training and behavior therapy can help a lot of people develop better coping strategies.
There are reports that the name-brand Ritalin is more effective than the generic version, but this has not been proven by clinical trials. Both drugs are chemically same, so they should both have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is a central nerve system stimulant. It can improve mood, focus, and concentration when prescribed. It can also be effective in treating narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and ADD. However, like all substances that alters the brain, if misused or used in large quantities, an overdose can occur. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, or coma. Recognizing the signs of an Ritalin overdose is critical for the prevention of these symptoms and taking the appropriate steps to seek medical assistance.
A Ritalin Overdose can happen in various ways. For example, someone may overdose because they forget to take a dose re-supplement. They could also be taking other substances that may interact with the drug and increase its effect, or they might be taking it for recreational purposes and not know how to dose it correctly. Long-term Ritalin usage can cause tolerance and psychological dependency that can lead addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those who have a history of drug abuse.
People who are suffering from a Ritalin overdose should contact 911 immediately. They should be able provide the emergency personnel with details about their dosage, when they were taking it, as well as any other drugs or substances they consumed. The emergency response team will be able to better decide on the best way to treat the patient. Typically, they pump the stomach, a procedure known as gastric lavage, to remove any excess drug from the body before it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures. People who experience these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical professionals. Antiseizure and fluids can be used to treat them. Activated charcoal can also be administered to the patient to stop the drugs from entering their body. The hospital staff may cool the patient with fans or mists cooled water if they feel hot.
If you're prescribed Ritalin be sure to store it in a safe place where children are not able to reach it. You can also ask your pharmacist about a take-back program. Lastly, do not keep any expired or unused medicine. Mix the medicine you don't need with ground coffee or cat litter and throw it out.