Best Medication For ADHD

Teenagers and children taking ADHD medication tend to focus better, be less impulsive and more calm. They also get on with schoolwork. Some people may experience a slight slowdown in their growth or an increase in blood pressure or heart rate when taking these medications.

Medications are available in different adhd medications (click through the up coming internet page) forms including tablets, capsules liquid, patches and pills (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most popular stimulant. It's available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts with extended-release.

Stimulants

Stimulants are a type of drugs that is effective in treating inattentive adhd medication adults. These medications help improve concentration and attention by altering certain neurotransmitters within the brain, especially dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate the prefrontal cortex, which is often called the brain's "secretary" because it assists with planning and organizational abilities.

Stimulants are available both in short-acting as well as long-acting dosages. The short-acting medications peak in 30 to 45 minutes and need to be taken 2 or 3 times per throughout the day. These include methylphenidates, like Ritalin and Concerta amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphetamines may be a bit stronger and last longer than methylphenidates, however, they both function in the same way to improve attention and focus. Certain stimulant medicines are available in extended-release formulations. They are a better option because they last between 8 to 12 hours, and are typically taken once a day. Some of these medicines are powders that you mix with liquid to create drinks, while others are pills.

It may take some time to find the right medication for your child or yourself. Your doctor will observe your reaction to different kinds of medicines and adjust the dosage if needed. Medications should only be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, which will include support and behavioral therapy services.

Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a bit longer to begin working, but can make you feel more in control and improve your impulsivity, concentration and focus. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine in the same way that stimulants do, so they can be more secure to use over a longer period of time. These medications also have less side effects such as heartburn, constipation and a decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these medications that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's a selective reuptake norepinephrine inhibitor. Your doctor may prescribe other medication from this category such as guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (Kapvay).

There are also antidepressants that are not stimulant that can be prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. These are older medications in the tricyclic antidepressant family, like Tofranil (imipramine). These drugs are only prescribed by physicians if stimulants or other non-stimulants fail to work, or if they cause too many adverse side effects.

Your doctor may prescribe the atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These drugs don't have an immediate impact but they may help reduce the amount of impulsivity and improve concentration. They're in a distinct drug class than the other options and may cause some adverse effects, such as headaches or shaky hands. Your doctor might also recommend taking a low dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin) that is not a FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but works well to improve concentration and reduce impulsivity. It can cause some unpleasant but not usually serious side effects, such as hearing loss or changes in vision.