The 10 Scariest Things About ADHD Medication Ritalin
Wiki Article
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant drug that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by improving the way parts of the brain communicate, which can reduce ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can have adverse effects, such as diminished appetite and trouble sleeping. However, most of these are minor and will go away by themselves or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are vital neurotransmitters partially responsible for regulating motivation actions, cognition, and motivation. It is a psychostimulant that has been used for a long time and is considered safe when taken in the recommended dosages taken under the supervision of a physician.
However, there are reports of misuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic doses. Therefore, physicians need to examine each patient for risk and monitor these symptoms throughout treatment. It is also important to educate the patient and their family members about the dangers and the necessity of proper disposal of any unused medication. It is best to use a locked medicine container, which prevents children from accidentally taking unused medication. It is also a great idea to remind patients not to divulge their medication to anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts or feelings particularly in people who are bipolar or depressed or have a mental health history. Discuss with your doctor right now if you exhibit any of these symptoms. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure, which could lead to strokes or heart problems. Contact your doctor immediately when you experience an elevated heart rate, chest pain, or sweating. Also, inform your doctor if you have a family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have previously suffered any type of stroke or bleeding problem. This medication may affect your blood circulation and cause discomfort or numbness in your toes and fingers. It can also make it difficult to fall asleep.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version is more efficient than its generic counterpart. Many doctors still prefer the brand-name medication because of its security and effectiveness. It is important to keep in mind that this medication could be misused and should never be given to someone who isn't suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some individuals have reported that this medication performs better than others, however this is just anecdotal evidence and hasn't been proved scientifically. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to generic versus name-brand methylphenidate. However, this is not necessarily true for every child.
Side effects
When you begin medication to treat ADHD, it takes some time to find the right dosage. A doctor will be able to monitor the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments to determine the most effective medication. These powerful medications can trigger adverse reactions that range from irritability, sleep problems and serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a nerve system stimulant, which has methylphenidate, the active ingredient. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, which are chemicals that control and attention. It also improves your concentration and decreases anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin can cause serious heart issues, including sudden death and stroke for those suffering from certain medical conditions, including heart rhythm disturbances high blood pressure, an history of heart attack or cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can cause a decreased appetite and weight loss. It can also slightly increase your child's pulse rate and blood pressure. If you have heart problems or a pre-existing condition your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. These side effects can affect children's behavior, which can be particularly difficult for children who are still young. In certain instances it can cause the development of tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which are repetitive actions and sounds like eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow growth in adolescents and children. This is usually temporary, and doesn't alter their height at the end of the day.
There are a variety of types of this medication, that are available on prescription only. It can be a tablet that is swallowed, chewed on or dissolved or a capsule that is opened and sprinkled on food items or a liquid. Some people use the formula that has a short-acting effect and lasts between three and six hours. Others prefer it to be long-term and require a higher dose.
This medication could interact with other medications like antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication may also increase the chance of developing angle closure glaucoma, a potentially deadly adverse side consequence.
Interactions
Many medications have the potential to interact with other medications and substances, which could alter their effects. Certain interactions can be harmful and even fatal. It is important to inform your doctor about all the other medications you or your child are taking, including prescription medications as well as supplements and vitamins. Ritalin can interact with some antidepressants. This is particularly true for those that contain monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended by those with issues with circulation, such as Raynaud's phenomena or high blood pressure. It can also worsen symptoms in people with Tourette syndrome and tics.
Certain fMRI studies have shown that an acute dose of methylphenidate within medication responders during time discrimination and stop tasks increased activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) and medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the striatum. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation in the placebo and off-medication states in the same regions.
These results suggest that methylphenidate can improve performance in stop and timing discrimination tasks by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Other fMRI and behavior data suggest the mechanism is more complex than an increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, specifically, are believed to block dopamine reuptake process in certain regions such as the striatum, but not in other areas like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some patients the combination did not work like a single medication. Most people don't need medication to manage ADHD. Many people are able to develop more effective ways to cope with the disorder through behavior therapy and skill training.
There are reports that the name-brand Ritalin is more effective than the generic version however this hasn't been confirmed by clinical studies. The two medications are chemically identical, so they are likely to have the same effect on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is a stimulant of the central nervous system. It can enhance mood, focus and concentration when prescribed. It is also effective in treating narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and ADD. Overdose is a possibility with any substance that alters brain function. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, coma, and other serious medical issues. Recognizing the symptoms of an Ritalin overdose is vital to preventing these symptoms and taking step to seek medical attention.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of reasons. For instance, a person could accidentally take too much because they do not remember to take a dose re-supplement. They may also consume other substances that can interfere with the drug and increase its effect, or they might be using it for recreational purposes and not know how to dose it properly. Long-term Ritalin use can cause tolerance and psychological dependency that can lead addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those who have an addiction history.
Call 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. They must be able to provide the first responders with specific details regarding their dosage, when they took it, and what other medications or substances they took. The emergency response team can then better determine what to do to help the patient. In general, they will pump the stomach, a process known as gastric lavage, which is used to remove any excess drugs from the body before it can be taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical professionals. They can be treated with fluids and medications to prevent seizures. In addition, the patient might be given activated charcoal to stop any more of the drug from circulating in the body. If they are feeling hot, the hospital staff can cool them down using fans and mists of water to avoid hyperthermia.
If you're prescribed Ritalin be sure to store it in a safe area where children cannot get it. You can also ask your pharmacist about a take-back program. Also, don't keep any expired or unusable medicine. Instead, mix the unneeded medication with coffee grounds or cat litter check here and dispose of it.