How To Get More Results With Your Best Medication For ADHD
How To Get More Results With Your Best Medication For ADHD
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Best Medication For ADHD
Most children and teenagers who are taking ADHD medication report that they focus better, are less impulsive, feel calmer and more focused with their schoolwork. Some suffer a slight slowdown in growth and may have an increased heart rate or blood pressure when taking these drugs.
There are many different types of medication, including tablets, liquids, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most popular stimulant. It is available in three forms: immediate release, extended-release, and sustained-release.
Stimulants
One of the best medications for ADHD is a class of drugs known as stimulants. These medications improve concentration and attention by altering neurotransmitters, specifically norepinephrine and dopamine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, which is often known as the "secretary of the brain" because it helps in planning and organization skills.
Stimulants are available both in short-acting and long-acting doses. The short-acting drugs peak within 30 to 45 minutes and have to be taken two or three times a day. These include methylphenidates such as Ritalin and Concerta amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphétamines are stronger and last longer, however they both work similarly in improving attention and focus. There are also extended-release versions of some stimulant drugs. They are a better option since they last from 8 to 12 hours, and are typically taken daily. Some of these are a powder that you mix with liquid to create drinks, while others are pills.
Finding the right medication can take a while. Your doctor will watch how you react to different kinds of medications and will adjust the dosage as needed. Drugs should only be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that will include support and behavioral therapy services.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications take a little longer to start working, but can make you feel more in control and improve your concentration, impulsivity and focus. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine the same as stimulants do, so they are safer to use for longer periods of time. These medications also have less adverse effects such as heartburn, constipation and a decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these drugs that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of the selective reuptake of norepinephrine. Your doctor could prescribe guanfacine. It is also known as Intuniv or clonidine. These are both medications in this class.
Non-stimulant antidepressants that are off-label are also available to treat ADHD. These are older medications within the tricyclic antidepressant family, such as Tofranil (imipramine). These click here drugs are only prescribed by doctors if stimulants or other non-stimulants fail to work or cause too many side effects.
Your doctor may also prescribe the atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medications do not have immediate effects but they may help reduce impulsivity over time and improve concentration. They're in a distinct drug class from the other choices, and they can cause some adverse effects, such as headaches or shaky hands. Your doctor may also recommend the low dose antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin) which isn't FDA approved for ADHD treatment, but it can help improve concentration and reduce impulsivity. It can trigger some uncomfortable but not always serious side effects such as the ringing of your ears or changes in your vision.