ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is used to treat ADHD. It is used to treat it. It works by improving the way that parts of the brain communicate, thereby reducing ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can cause adverse effects, like sleepiness and a lack of appetite. The majority of these side effects are minor and will fade on their o own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are important neurotransmitters responsible for controlling motivation as well as action and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for a long time. It is considered to be safe when used in the dosages recommended under the supervision of a doctor.
However there are reports of abuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at the therapeutic dosage level. Therefore, doctors should evaluate each patient for the danger and monitor their symptoms throughout treatment. It is also crucial to educate patients and their families about the risk of harm and the necessity of proper disposal of any unneeded medication. Utilizing a locked medicine cabinet is ideal, as this will stop children from accessing and accidentally taking unused doses. It's also a good idea to remind patients not to divulge their medication to anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal feelings or thoughts, particularly in people who suffer from bipolar disorder or depression or have a mental illness history. Talk with your doctor right immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. This medication may also increase your blood pressure, which could cause stroke or heart problems. If you experience chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating, consult your physician immediately. Also, inform your doctor if you have any family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have ever suffered from any kind of bleeding or stroke. This medication can cause numbness or discomfort in your toes or fingers. It can also make sleeping difficult.
It isn't clear whether the brand-name version is more efficient than its generic counterpart. However, many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version because of its proven safety and effectiveness. The medication is a risk for abuse and should not be given to anyone who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people believe that this medication is more effective than others. However this is only anecdotal evidence that has not yet been scientifically proved. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to name-brand versus generic methylphenidate, however this is not necessarily true for every child.
Side effects
When you begin medication to treat ADHD, it takes some time to determine the appropriate dosage. adhd medication uk will be able to monitor your child's body reactions and adjust until they find the most effective dosage. These powerful medications can cause adverse effects that range from sleep disorders, irritability and even severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate and is a central nervous system stimulant. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as dopamine, chemical compounds that are associated with control and attention. It also improves your concentration and reduces anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin can cause serious heart problems including strokes and sudden deaths for patients who suffer from certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure and an underlying cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin as with other stimulant medications can cause weight loss and a decrease in appetite. It can also increase your your child's blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. If you suffer from heart problems or a pre-existing health condition, your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other side effects include anxiety and depression. These side effects can also affect children's behavior, which is especially difficult for those who are young. In some instances, it can cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm), which are repetitive movements or sounds such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also cause a slowing of growth in teenagers and children. However it is usually temporary and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
There are many kinds of this medication which are available by prescription only. It can be a tablet that's swallowed, chewed or dissolved or a capsule that is open and sprinkled onto food or in a liquid. 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 which requires an increased dose.
This medication may interact with other medications, like antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication may increase the risk of glaucoma caused by angle closure, a potentially deadly adverse consequence.
Interactions
Many medications have the potential to interact with other drugs and substances, which can alter their effects. Certain interactions can be harmful, even deadly. Tell your doctor what other medications you and your child are taking, including vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter medications. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, specifically those that contain monoamine inhibitors of oxidase (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This can lead to severe side effects, including suicidal ideas or actions, seizures, and hallucinations. Ritalin should not be taken by people who have circulatory problems such as Raynaud's phenomena or high blood pressure. It may also cause more symptoms in those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
Certain fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose of methylphenidate in medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks increased activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) and medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by normalization of underactivation during non-medication and placebo conditions in the same regions.
These results suggest that methylphenidate enhances performance in tasks of stop and timing discrimination by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Other fMRI and behavioral studies suggest that the mechanism is more complex than an increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, in particular, are believed to block dopamine reuptake in specific areas like the striatum, but not in other regions like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mixture between stimulants and nonstimulants reduced ADHD-like symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in some patients the combination didn't perform as well as the single drug. The use of medications is not the sole treatment for ADHD and the majority of people don't require medication to manage the disorder. Many people can develop more effective ways to cope with the disorder through therapy for behavior and training.
Clinical trials have not confirmed that the name-brand Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both drugs are chemically the identical, and therefore should both have the same effects on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also called Ritalin) is a central nerve system stimulant. It can boost mood, focus and concentration when prescribed. It has also been proven to be effective in treating ADD/ADHD and Narcolepsy. However, like any substance that alters the brain, if misused or taken in large quantities, an overdoses can occur. This can result in stroke, heart attack and coma as well as other serious medical problems. Recognizing the signs of an Ritalin overdose is critical for the prevention of these symptoms and taking step to seek medical attention.
A Ritalin overdose can result from a variety of causes. For instance, a person may have a mishap and take too much medication because they forget to take a dose re-supplement. They could also be taking other substances that can interfere with the drug and increase its effect or they may be taking it for recreational purposes and aren't aware of how to dose it properly. Furthermore, long-term use of Ritalin can lead to tolerance and psychological dependence which can lead to addiction. Therefore people with an history of abuse of stimulants or other drugs should only take Ritalin under the supervision of a physician.
People who are suffering from a Ritalin overdose should call 911 immediately. First responders should know the dosage, when it was taken and if they've taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will be able to more accurately determine how to treat the patient. They usually perform a stomach pump (a procedure known as gastriclavage) to remove any excess drug from the body before they can be absorption into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures, and anyone who is suffering from these symptoms should be monitored by a medical professional. Fluids and antiseizure medication are a way to treat them. Additionally, the patient may be given activated charcoal to stop any further drug from circulating in the body. The hospital staff may cool the patient with fans or mists chilled water if they are feeling hot.
If you've been prescribed Ritalin put it in an area where children can't reach it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return-to-prescription program. Do not keep any expired or unneeded medication. Instead, mix the unused medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and dispose of it.