Some Wisdom On ADHD Medication Ritalin From A Five-Year-Old
Wiki Article
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant drug used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It improves brain communication, which decreases ADHD.
ADHD medications can have adverse effects, such as decreased appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, the majority of these are minor and will go away by themselves or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and other neurotransmitters within the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant and has been used since decades. It is considered to be safe when used in the dosages recommended under the supervision of a physician.
However, there are reports of misuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at the therapeutic dosage level. Doctors must evaluate each patient's risk and monitor the symptoms throughout treatment. It is also essential to educate patients and their families about the risk of harm and the need for proper disposal of any unneeded medication. A locked medicine box is a good idea, since it keeps children from gaining access and taking doses that are not needed. It is also a good idea to advise patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts or feelings especially for those who are bipolar or depressed or have a mental health history. Talk with your doctor right now if you exhibit any of these symptoms. This medication can cause an increase in blood pressure, which can lead to stroke or heart issues. Call your doctor right away when you experience a high heart rate, chest pain or sweating. Also tell your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death or if you've previously suffered any type of stroke or bleeding problem. This medication can cause numbness and pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make sleep difficult.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version is more effective than its generic counterpart. However, many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version due its safety record and effectiveness. This medication can be abused, and should not be administered to anyone who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people claim that this medication is more effective than other. However, this is only anecdotal evidence and is not yet scientifically proved. Parents have reported that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate as opposed to name-brand, but this may not be the case for all children.
Side effects
When you are first starting medication to treat ADHD it takes some time to find the proper dose. A doctor will be able to 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 adverse effects that range from sleep disorders, irritability and even severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nerve system stimulant, which has methylphenidate as its active ingredient. It works by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. These are chemicals that help with control and attention. It also increases concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart problems, including strokes and sudden deaths for people who suffer from certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure and a history or heart attack and cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications, Ritalin can result in a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It may also increase the speed of your child's pulse as well as blood pressure. This could be a problem if you have a preexisting heart condition or heart problems, so your doctor will be on check on your heart rate and blood pressure.
Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. These side effects can also affect children's behavior, which can be particularly challenging for children who are young. In some cases it can cause tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which are repetitive actions and sounds like eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also cause a slowing of growth for children and teens. It is usually temporary and does not affect their final height.
This medication is available in several forms, but only on prescription. The medication can be taken as a tablet, which is chewed, dissolving or swallowed. It may also be available in the form of a capsule, which is then opened and sprinkled on liquid or food items. Some people use an ingredient that acts quickly and lasts between three and six hours. Others prefer it to be long-term which requires a higher dose.
This medication may interact with other medications such as antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. It may also increase your your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other substances or drugs. This could alter the effects. Certain interactions could be harmful and even fatal. You should tell your doctor about all other medicines you or your child taking, including prescription medications and supplements and vitamins. Ritalin is known to interact with antidepressants, particularly those that contain monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This could cause serious side effects like suicidal thoughts and actions or hallucinations, seizures, or even seizures. Ritalin should not be taken by those with circulatory problems like Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It may also aggravate symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in people who suffer from these conditions.
Certain fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose of methylphenidate within medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks increased activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) here and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and the 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 exerts its effect on behavior by increasing the amount of dopamine in the extracellular space and norepinephrine, which improve performance in stop and time-discrimination tasks. Other fMRI and behavior data suggest the mechanism is more complex than an increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, specifically, seem to hinder dopamine reuptake in specific areas such as the striatum, but not in other areas like 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. In some patients however, the combination didn't work as well as one medication. The use of medications is not the sole treatment for ADHD and the majority of people do not require them to live with the condition. Training in skills 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 form, but this has not been proven by clinical trials. Both drugs are chemically the same, so they should both have the same effects on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also called Ritalin) is a central nerve system stimulant. It can boost mood, focus and concentration when taken as prescribed. It is also effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. Overdose is a possibility with any substance that alters brain function. This could lead to stroke, heart attack or coma, as well as other serious medical issues. It is crucial to recognize the signs of an overdose Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin Overdose can happen in many 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 enhance its effects or they may be taking it for recreational purposes and not know how to dose it correctly. Furthermore, long-term use of Ritalin could lead to dependence and tolerance that could lead to addiction. Ritalin is not recommended by those who have an addiction history.
Call 911 immediately if are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should be aware of the dose, the time it was taken, and if they have taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will be able to more accurately decide on the best way to treat the patient. They will usually use the stomach pump (a procedure known as gastriclavage) to remove any excess drug from the body before they are absorption into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures, and anyone who is suffering from these symptoms should be monitored by a medical professional. They can be treated with fluids and medications to prevent seizures. Activated charcoal can also be given to the patient in order to prevent the drugs from entering the body. The hospital staff may cool the patient with fans or mists cool water if they feel hot.
If you are prescribed Ritalin ensure that you keep it in a secure area where children cannot get it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return program. Don't keep expired or unused medicine. Instead, mix the expired medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and dispose of it.