ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It improves the way parts of the brain communicate, which reduces ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can cause negative side effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, most of these are mild and go away by themselves or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are important neurotransmitters responsible for controlling motivation, action, and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for decades and is considered to be safe in recommended dosages when administered under the supervision of a physician.
However, there are reports of abuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at the therapeutic dosage level. Therefore, physicians need to evaluate each patient for the risk and monitor these symptoms throughout treatment. It is essential to inform patients and family members about the dangers of not using medications and the need to appropriately dispose of them. Using a locked medication box is ideal, as this will stop children from accessing and taking doses that are not needed. It's also a good idea to tell patients not to divulge their medication to anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts or feelings especially in those who suffer from bipolar disorder or depression or have a mental health history. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. This medication may also increase your blood pressure, which can cause heart or stroke. Get your doctor's attention immediately in case you are experiencing an increased heart rate, chest pain or sweating. Inform your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have previously suffered any type of bleeding issue or stroke. This medication can cause numbness or pain in your feet or fingers. It can also make it hard to fall asleep.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version is more effective than the generic version. However, many doctors prefer the brand-name version due to its safety record and effectiveness. It is important to remember that this medication can be abused and should never be administered to a person who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some individuals have reported that this medication performs better than others, however this is purely anecdotal and hasn't been proved scientifically. Some parents report that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate as opposed to the brand name, but this might not be true for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to find the appropriate dose when you start treatment for ADHD. A healthcare professional will observe the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments in order to find the most effective medication. These powerful medications can trigger side effects ranging from sleep disorders, irritability and severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a nerve system stimulant that has methylphenidate as the active ingredient. It is a stimulant that increases levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, chemical compounds that are associated with control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and decreases anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin may cause serious heart issues, including stroke and sudden death, for those suffering from certain medical conditions, such as heart rhythm disturbances high blood pressure, an underlying cardiovascular disease or cardiac arrest.
Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can cause a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It can also increase your or your child's blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. This can be a problem if you have a preexisting heart condition or other heart issues, so your doctor will keep close check on your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include anxiety and depression. These side effects can also affect the behavior of children, which is particularly difficult for children who are young. In certain instances, it may cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm), which are repetitive sounds or movements such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also cause a slowing of growth for children and teens. However, this is usually temporary and doesn't affect their final height.
The medication is available in a variety of forms, but only by prescription. The medication can be taken in the form of a tablet that is chewed, dissolving or swallowed. It can also come in the form of a capsule which is opened and sprinkled over liquid or food items. Some people choose to take a short-acting formula that lasts between three and six hours, whereas others take it for a longer time and require a higher dose.
This medication can interact with other medications like antidepressants and monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors. It could also increase your your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications have the potential to interact with other medications and substances, which could alter their effects. Certain interactions can be dangerous and even life-threatening. You should inform your doctor about all other medications you or your child is taking, including over-the-counter medicines as well as supplements and vitamins. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, particularly those that contain monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This could cause serious side effects like suicidal thoughts, actions, seizures, or hallucinations. Ritalin should not be used by those with circulatory issues like Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms in people with Tourette syndrome and tics.
medication for adhd uk have shown that a high dose of methylphenidate given to medication responders during stop-and-time discrimination tasks boosted activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial cingulate cortex (MCC), anterior cingulate (ACC), and striatum. These changes were accompanied with normalization of the subactivation in the same regions during non-medicament and placebo conditions.
These results show that methylphenidate enhances performance in the tasks of stopping and timing discrimination by increasing extracellular norepinephrine and dopamine. Other fMRI and behavioral studies suggest the mechanism is more complex than an increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, in particular, appear to hinder the reuptake process of dopamine in some areas, such as the striatum, but not 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 as effectively as one medication. Most people don't need medication to manage ADHD. Training in skills and behavior therapy can help a lot of people develop better coping strategies.
Clinical trials haven't proven that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both drugs are chemically same, which means they will both have the same effects on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also called Ritalin) is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It can enhance mood, focus and concentration when prescribed. It also works in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. However, like any substance that alters the brain, if misused or taken in large quantities, an overdoses can happen. This could lead to stroke, heart attack or coma, as well as other serious medical issues. Being aware of the signs of a Ritalin overdose is critical for preventing these symptoms and taking step to seek medical attention.
A Ritalin Overdose can occur in various ways. For instance, a person may have a mishap and take too much medication because they forget to take a dose re-supplement. Other substances can interact with the drug to increase its effects, or they could be taking it for recreational purposes and not know how to dose it. Long-term Ritalin usage can cause tolerance and psychological dependency that can lead addiction. Ritalin is not recommended by those with an addiction history.
Contact 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. They should be able provide the first responders with details about the dosage, the time they were taking it, as well as any other drugs or substances they consumed. The emergency response team will be able to more accurately decide on the best way to treat the patient. In general, they will pump the stomach, a procedure known as gastric lavage, to remove any excess substance from the body prior to it is taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures, so anyone suffering from these symptoms should be monitored by medical professionals. Fluids and antiseizure medications can be used to treat them. Activated charcoal is also administered to the patient in order to stop the drugs from entering their body. The hospital staff may cool the patient with fans or mists of cool water if they feel hot.
If you're given Ritalin be sure to keep it in a secure place where children are not able to reach it. You can also ask your pharmacist for a take-back program. Don't keep expired or unused medication. Instead, mix the unused medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and throw it away.