10 Things We All Love About Best Medication For ADHD
Best Medication For ADHDTeenagers and children taking ADHD medication tend to concentrate more effectively, have less impulsive and more relaxed. They also get on with schoolwork. Some individuals may experience a slight slowdown in their growth, or an increase in blood pressure or heart rate while taking these medications.
The medications are available in a variety of forms including tablets, capsules liquid, patches and tablets (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most common stimulant. It's available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine dextroamphetamine and extended-release amphetamine salts.
Stimulants
One of the best medications for ADHD is a class known as stimulants. These drugs improve focus and attention by affecting neurotransmitters, specifically norepinephrine and dopamine. These are the chemicals that regulate the brain's pre-frontal cortex region which is often described as the brain's "secretary" because it assists in the planning and organization abilities.
Stimulants come in short and long-acting doses. The short-acting medications peak in 30 to 45 minutes, and need to be taken two or three times a day. Amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin are among these. Amphétamines are stronger and last longer, but they both work similar ways to improve concentration and attention. There are extended-release versions of some stimulant drugs. These are a better choice since they last from 8 to 12 hours, and are typically taken daily. Certain of these medicines are powders that you mix with liquids to make drinks, while others are pills.
It may take a while to find the right medication for your child or yourself. Your doctor will observe your response to different types of medicines and adjust the dosage as needed. The use of medications should be part of a complete treatment plan that includes behavioral therapy and support.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a little more time to work, but it can help you feel more in control, increase your impulsivity and concentration and help you focus. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine the same way that stimulants do, which means they can be more secure to use over longer periods of time. They also have less side effects, such as heartburn, constipation and a decreased sex drive. Strattera is the first medication that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's a selective reuptake norepinephrine inhibitor. Your doctor might prescribe guanfacine, also known as Intuniv or clonidine. These are both medicines in this group.
There are also non-stimulant antidepressants that can be prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. These are older drugs in the tricyclic antidepressant family like Tofranil (imipramine). These drugs are only prescribed by doctors when stimulants or other non-stimulants do not work, or if they have too many adverse effects.
Your doctor may prescribe the atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medications don't have an immediate impact but they may help reduce the amount of impulsivity that occurs over time and increase concentration. They're in a different class click here than the other options and may cause some adverse effects, such as shaky hands or headache. Your doctor may also suggest a low dose of an antidepressant called bupropion (Wellbutrin), which isn't an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD however it can help increase concentration and reduce the impulsivity. It can cause some unpleasant but not always serious side effects, such as hearing loss or changes in vision.