This Week's Most Popular Stories Concerning ADHD Medication Ritalin
ADHD Medication – Ritalin Ritalin is a stimulant drug used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADHD). It works by improving brain communication, which decreases ADHD. ADHD medication can cause adverse effects, like sleepiness and a lack of appetite. Most of these side effects are minor and will disappear by themselves or over time. Dosage Ritalin increases levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and other neurotransmitters within the brain. These neurotransmitters regulate motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for decades. It is considered safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the supervision of your physician. However, there are reports of abuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at the therapeutic dosage level. Therefore, physicians need to examine each patient for risk and observe these symptoms throughout treatment. It is essential to inform patients as well as their family members of the dangers of not using medications and the need to appropriately get rid of them. It is best to utilize a locked medicine container that will stop children from accidentally taking unused medication. It is also a great idea to inform patients not to divulge their medication to anyone. This medication could trigger suicidal thoughts or behaviors, especially in people who are depressed, bipolar or have an history of mental illness. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. This medication can also raise your blood pressure, which could cause stroke or heart problems. Get your doctor's attention immediately if you have an elevated heart rate, chest pain, or sweating. Inform your doctor if you have a family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have ever suffered from any kind of bleeding or stroke. This medication may cause numbness and pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make it difficult to sleep. It is not known whether the brand-name version is more effective than its generic counterpart. However, many doctors prefer the brand-name version because of its history of safety and effectiveness. It is also important to keep in mind that this medication could be misused and should never be administered to a person who isn't suffering from ADHD or narcolepsy. Some claim that this medication is more effective than other. However it is merely anecdotal evidence, and is not yet scientifically proven. Parents have reported that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate versus name-brand, but this may not be true for all children. Side effects It takes time to find the correct dose when starting medication to treat ADHD. A healthcare professional will observe your or your child's bodily reactions and adjust until they can find the most effective treatment. These powerful medications can trigger adverse reactions that range from irritability, sleep problems and severe cardiovascular events. Ritalin is a nerve system stimulant that has methylphenidate as its active ingredient. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, which are chemicals that aid in control and attention. It also increases concentration and reduces restlessness as well as hyperactivity. Ritalin may cause serious heart problems, such as stroke and sudden death in people with certain medical conditions, like heart rhythm disorders, high blood pressure and an underlying cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease. Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can cause a decreased appetite and weight loss. It may also raise the blood pressure and pulse rate little. This could be a concern if you have a preexisting heart condition or other heart issues as a result, so your doctor will keep close eye on your heart rate and blood pressure. Other adverse effects include changes in mood, including depression and anxiety. They can also affect the way you behave which is particularly difficult for children who are just starting to take the drug. In some instances, it can cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm™, which are repetitive movements or sounds like eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow down growth in children and adolescents. This is usually temporary, and doesn't affect their final height. There are several kinds of this medication which are available by prescription only. It could be a tablet that's swallowed, chewed or dissolving in a capsule open and sprinkled onto food 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, which requires an increased dose. This medication may interact with other drugs including monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. This medication may increase the risk of glaucoma caused by angle closure which is a potentially fatal side consequence. Interactions Many medications are able to interact with other medications or substances, which may alter their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful and even life-threatening. Tell your doctor what other medications you or your child is taking, such as supplements and vitamins as well as over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin is known to interact with antidepressants, particularly those that contain monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). MAOIs increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This can cause severe side effects, including suicidal thoughts, actions, seizures, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for people with issues with circulation like Raynaud's phenomenon or high pressure. It can also cause the onset of Tourette syndrome or tics in people with these conditions. Some fMRI studies have found that an acute dose of methylphenidate within medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks enhanced activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by normalization of the subactivation in the same regions under non-medicament and placebo conditions. These results suggest that methylphenidate enhances performance in the tasks of stopping and timing discrimination by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Other fMRI and behavior data suggest the mechanism is more complicated than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants in particular appear to inhibit the dopamine reuptake in certain areas such as the striatum, but not in other regions, such the frontal lobes. In one study, a mixture of stimulants and non-stimulants reduced ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in some patients, the combination did not work as well as the single drug. There is no one-stop treatment for ADHD and the majority of people don't require medications to manage the condition. Many people are able to develop better ways to cope through therapy and training. There are reports that the name-brand Ritalin is more efficient than generic Ritalin, but this has not been confirmed by clinical studies. Both medications are chemically identical, and they should have similar effects on the majority of people. adhd medication adults (also called Ritalin) is a stimulant of the central nervous system. It can improve mood, focus, and concentration when taken as prescribed. It has also been found effective in treating ADD/ADHD and the disorder known as narcolepsy. It is possible to overdose with any substance that alters brain function. This can result in stroke, heart attack or coma, as well as other serious medical issues. It is essential to be aware of the signs of an overdose on Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical attention. A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of reasons. A person may take too many pills because they did not remember to redose their medication. Other substances may interact with the drug, causing its effects, or they could be using it recreationally and not know how to dose it. Additionally, long-term use of Ritalin can result in addiction and psychological dependence that can cause addiction. Therefore those with a history of abusing stimulants or other drugs should use Ritalin under the supervision of a medical professional. Contact 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should know the dose, the time it was taken, and if they have taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team can determine what they should do to help the patient. They typically perform a stomach pump (a procedure known as gastriclavage) to remove any excess drugs from the body before they are absorbed in the bloodstream. Ritalin may trigger seizures. People who experience these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical experts. Antiseizure and fluids can be used to treat seizures. In addition, the patient could be treated with activated charcoal to block any more of the drug from entering the body. The hospital staff can cool the patient with fans or mists of cool water if they feel hot. If you are prescribed Ritalin ensure that you store it in a secure place where children are not able to reach it. You may also ask your pharmacist for a take-back program. Don't keep any expired or unused medicine. Mix the unused medicine with ground coffee or cat litter and dispose of it.