ADHD Medication
Medication is usually a part of an ADHD treatment strategy. The two most popular stimulant drugs are dextroamphetamine as well as methylphenidate. Each of them has a variety of brand names and each has a different chemical makeup.
Stimulants increase the levels of brain chemicals that aid in pass messages between neurons. These are the first medication that healthcare professionals usually test for people suffering from ADHD.
Stimulants
The majority of doctors prescribe stimulants as the first medication for ADHD. click through the next article help by increasing the levels of certain brain chemicals, norepinephrine and dopamine, which help improve focus, reduce the impulsive behavior, and increase calmness. Amphetamines, such as methylphenidate or atomoxetine (which is in the class of antidepressants known as selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors) are often prescribed by doctors to treat ADHD. While serious heart issues are rare, doctors may closely monitor people with heart conditions when they take stimulants.
ADHD is usually treated most effectively with stimulant medications, especially for adolescents and children. These drugs increase the brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine that help people concentrate, focus and learn. They also boost energy and promote alertness. Studies have shown that when taken as directed the drugs can dramatically improve school performance. Many experts are concerned that students who use stimulants for a long time might develop a tolerance and need greater doses. They may also cause negative side effects, such as changes in appetite, sleep issues, anxiety, or depression.
Doctors who prescribe ADHD medication usually start by prescribing a low dose, and then gradually increase the dosage over a couple of weeks. They'll want you and your parents to monitor the benefits and side effects of the medicine. If the medication doesn't appear to be working, or causes side effects you can't cope with, your doctor might consider a different medication.
The majority of kids and adults who are taking stimulant medication experience at least some adverse effects. Most of them are minor and disappear after a few days or weeks as the body gets used to the drug. Some of the more common side effects include weight loss, trouble sleeping, and a rapid heart rate.
Certain studies have found that those who use stimulant medication for ADHD are more likely to experience tics that are repeated movements or sounds like eye blinking or throat clearing. But, these medications do not cause tics, they simply make them more obvious. ADHD medication can cause some changes in voice, headaches, stomach upset and occasionally raise or lower blood pressure or heart rate.
A few nonstimulant medications--including Strattera (atomoxetine) and Qelbree (viloxazine)--have been approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. These drugs work differently than stimulants. They boost the levels of norepinephrine - a brain chemical that helps to regulate attention and impulses. They can reduce depression, anxiety and bipolar symptoms of bipolar disorder. They are less harmful than stimulants but don't work as well to treat ADHD symptoms. Your doctor may suggest that you try one of these medications for depression or bipolar disorder along with ADHD. They may also recommend psychosocial treatments to help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.