ADHD Medication - Ritalin

Ritalin is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It helps improve brain communication, which reduces ADHD.

ADHD medications can cause negative side effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, most of these are minor and disappear by themselves or over time.

Dosage

Ritalin increases levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters within the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for a long time and is considered safe in recommended dosages when taken under the guidance of a physician.

However, there are reports of abuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at the therapeutic dosage level. Physicians must assess each patient's risk and monitor symptoms throughout the treatment. It is also important to inform patients and their families about the risk of harm and the necessity of proper disposal of any leftover medication. A locked medicine box is a good idea, since it will stop children from accessing and accidentally taking unused doses. It's also a great idea to tell patients not to give their medication to anyone.

This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts or feelings especially for those who suffer from bipolar and adhd medication disorder, depression or have a mental health history. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. This medication may also cause an increase in blood pressure, which can cause strokes or heart issues. If you feel chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, or excessive sweating, consult your physician immediately. Tell your doctor if there is any family history of heart disease, sudden death, or if you've ever had a stroke or bleeding problems. This medication can cause numbness or discomfort in your toes or fingers. It can also make sleep difficult.

It is not known if the brand-name version is more efficient than its generic counterpart. However, many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version because of its safety record and effectiveness. The medication is a risk for abuse and should not be prescribed to anyone who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.

Some people believe that this medication is more effective than other. However, this is only anecdotal evidence and is not yet scientifically verified. Parents have reported that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate than brand name, however this may not be the case for all children.

Side effects

It takes time to determine the correct dose when starting treatment for ADHD. A healthcare professional will observe the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments to find the most effective medication. These medications are potent and can have side effects, ranging from irritability to sleep disorders to serious cardiovascular events.

Ritalin is a nerve system stimulant, which has methylphenidate as its active ingredient. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, which are chemicals that aid in control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart problems, including strokes and sudden deaths in people who suffer from certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure as well as the possibility of heart attack and cardiovascular disease.

Ritalin, like other stimulant medications can cause weight loss and a decrease in appetite. It may also increase the rate of your child's pulse and blood pressure. This could be a concern when you have a prior heart condition or other heart issues as a result, so your doctor will keep close watch over your blood pressure and heart rate.

Other adverse effects include changes in mood, like depression and anxiety. They can also affect behavior which is particularly difficult for young children taking the medication. In some instances, it can cause tics or TouretteaEURtm(tm) which are repetitive movements or sounds like eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow growth in adolescents and children. However, this is usually temporary and does not affect their height at the end of the day.

There are a variety of kinds of this medication which are available by prescription only. It can be a tablet that is swallowed, chewed or dissolving or a capsule that is open and sprinkled onto food or in a liquid adhd medication. Some people make use of the formula that has a short-acting effect and lasts between three and six hours. Others prefer it to be long-term and require an increased dose.

This medication may interact with other medications, such as antidepressants and monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors. It can also increase your your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, such as angle closure glaucoma.

Interactions

Many medications interact with other substances or drugs. This could alter the effects of their actions. Certain interactions could be harmful and even fatal. You should tell your doctor about all the other medicines you or your child is taking, including prescription drugs and supplements and vitamins. Ritalin can interact with some antidepressants. This is especially the case for those with monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors.

MAOIs increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. This could cause serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for those with circulatory problems, such as Raynaud’s phenomenon or high pressure. It may also aggravate symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics for those with these conditions.

Certain fMRI studies have shown that an acute dose of methylphenidate in medication responders during time discrimination and stop tasks increased activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and striatum 25. These changes were also accompanied by normalization of the subactivation in the same regions under the placebo and off-medicament conditions.

These results support the notion that methylphenidate causes its effect on behavior through the increase of extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine levels, which enhance performance in stop and time-discrimination tasks. However, other research on fMRI and behavior suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, in particular, seem to hinder dopamine reuptake process in certain regions like the striatum, but not in other areas like the frontal lobes.

In one study, a mixture of stimulants and non stimulant adhd medications for adults-stimulants decreased adhd medication ritalin (made a post) symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in a few patients the combination didn't perform as well as a single drug. Medications are not the only treatment for ADHD and the majority of people do not require them to live with the condition. Many people can learn better ways to cope through therapy and training.

Some people anecdotally report that the name-brand Ritalin is more efficient than generic Ritalin however this hasn't been proven by clinical trials. The two drugs are chemically similar, which means they should have the same effect on most people.

Overdose

Methylphenidate more commonly referred to as Ritalin is a stimulant for the central nervous system that improves concentration, focus, and mood when used according to the prescription. It has also been proven effective in treating ADD/ADHD as well as narcolepsy. However, like any substance that alters the brain, if it is misused or used in large doses, overdoses can occur. This can result in heart attack, stroke and coma as well as other serious medical problems. It is essential to recognize the signs of an overdose Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical attention.

A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a variety of factors. For example, someone may have a mishap and take too much medication due to the fact that they don't remember to take a dose re-supplement. Other substances may interact with the drug to enhance its effects, or they may be using it for recreational purposes, without knowing how to dose it. Long-term Ritalin use can also result in tolerance and a psychological dependence that can lead to addiction. Therefore, those who have an history of using stimulants or other drugs should use Ritalin under the supervision of a medical professional.

Patients suffering from a Ritalin overdose should call 911 immediately. They should be able to give the emergency responders specific details regarding the dosage, the time they were taking it, as well as any other medications or substances they consumed. The emergency response team will then better determine what medication is given for adhd to do to help the patient. They will usually use the stomach pump (a procedure called gastriclavage) to remove any excess drugs from the body before they are absorption into the bloodstream.

Ritalin can trigger seizures. Anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical experts. Fluids and antiseizure medication can be used to treat seizures. Activated charcoal may also be administered to the patient in order to prevent the drug from entering the body. If they feel hot, the staff at the hospital can cool them down using fans and mists of water in order to prevent hyperthermia.

If you're prescribed Ritalin be sure to keep it in a secure place where children are not able to reach it. You can also ask your pharmacist about a drug take-back program. Don't keep expired or unused medicine. Instead, mix the expired medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and dispose of it.