Best Medication For ADHD
Most teenagers and children who take ADHD medication find they concentrate better and are less impulsive. They also feel calmer and get on with their school work. Some people may experience a slight slowing in their growth or an increase in blood pressure or heart rate when they are taking these drugs.
They are available in various forms like capsules, tablets liquid, patches and tablets (such as Daytrana). The most popular stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It's available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts with extended-release.
Stimulants
One of the most effective medications for ADHD is a class of drugs known as stimulants. These drugs help improve focus and attention by affecting certain neurotransmitters within the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate the pre-frontal cortex region, which is often called the brain's "secretary" because it aids with organizing and planning abilities.
Stimulants are available in short-acting and long-acting dosages. The short-acting medicines have a peak effect in 30 to 45 minutes, and need to be taken three or twice times a day. Amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates, such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin, are among these. Amphetamines can be more powerful and last longer than methylphenidates but both work in the same way to improve attention and focus. Some stimulant medications are available in extended-release versions. These are a better choice since they last from 8 to 12 hours and are generally taken only every day. Some of these medicines are powders that you mix with liquid to make a drink, while others are pills.
Finding the right medication can take a while. Your doctor will monitor how you respond to the different types of medications and will adjust the dosage if needed. The use of medication should be part of an overall treatment plan that includes a combination of therapy and support.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a little more time to work but it can make you feel more in control, increase your concentration and impulsivity and increase your concentration. These drugs don't affect dopamine or norepinephrine the same way that stimulants do, so they can be more secure to use over a longer period of time. adhd depression medication have less side effects, such as constipation, heartburn and reduced sexual drive. The first drug to be approved by the FDA to treat ADHD is known as Strattera and is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Your doctor may prescribe guanfacine, referred to as Intuniv or clonidine, that are both drugs in this group.
Non-stimulant antidepressants that are off-label can also be prescribed to treat ADHD. These are older drugs in the tricyclic antidepressant family such as Tofranil (imipramine). Doctors will only recommend these medications in cases where stimulants or other non-stimulants fail to work or cause too many adverse consequences.
Viloxazine and atomoxetine are prescribed by your doctor. These drugs don't have immediate effects, but help reduce impulsivity and improve concentration over time. These drugs are part of a different class of drugs from other ones and may cause side effects like shaky hand or headache. Your doctor may also suggest taking a low dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin), which isn't an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but works well to improve concentration and decrease the impulsivity. It may cause some uncomfortable but not always serious side effects like ringing or changes in vision.