ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It improves the way parts of the brain communicate, thereby reducing ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can cause side effects, such as suppressed appetite and trouble sleeping. However, the majority of these are minor and go away by themselves or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are key neurotransmitters responsible for controlling motivation as well as action and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used for many years and is believed to be safe when taken in the recommended dosages administered under the supervision of a doctor.
However there are reports of abuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic dosage levels. Doctors must evaluate each patient's risk and monitor their symptoms throughout the treatment. It is crucial to inform patients and family members of the dangers of taking medications that are not used and the need to appropriately get rid of them. It is best to utilize a locked medicine container, which prevents children from consuming unneeded medication. It is also recommended to instruct patients not to share this medication with anyone.
This medication may trigger suicidal feelings or thoughts, especially for those who suffer from bipolar disorder or depression or have a mental health history. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. This medication may also cause an increase in blood pressure which can cause strokes or heart problems. Contact your doctor immediately when you experience an elevated heart rate, chest pain, or sweating. Tell your doctor if there is any family history of heart disease, sudden death, or any time you've 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 isn't known if the brand-name version is more efficient than its generic counterpart. Many doctors still prefer the brand-name version because of its effectiveness and safety. The medication is a risk for abuse and should not be prescribed to anyone who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some claim that this medication is more effective than others. However it is merely anecdotal evidence that has not yet been scientifically proven. Some parents have reported that their children respond differently to generic and name-brand methylphenidate, but this is not necessarily true for every child.
Side effects
When you are first starting medication to treat ADHD it takes some time to find the proper dose. A healthcare professional will observe the body reactions of your child or yourself and make adjustments in order to find the most effective medication. These powerful medications can cause adverse reactions that range from sleep issues, irritability and severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a nerve system stimulant that has methylphenidate, the active ingredient. It works by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also increases your concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart problems, including strokes and sudden deaths in people with certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure as well as the possibility of cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease.
Similar to other stimulant drugs, Ritalin can result in a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It can also increase your your child's blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. If you have heart problems or a pre-existing condition your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other adverse effects include changes in mood, including depression and anxiety. These side effects can affect children's behavior, which can be particularly difficult for children who are still young. In certain instances it can trigger the development of tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which are repetitive movements and sounds such as eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow growth in teenagers and children. This is usually temporary, and does not alter their height in the future.
There are many forms of this medication, which are available by prescription only. It could be a tablet that is swallowed, chewed on or dissolved in a capsule open and sprinkled onto food items or a liquid. Some people choose to take a short-acting formula that lasts from three to six hours, whereas others take it long-term and require an increased dose.
This medication can interact with certain other drugs including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It could also increase your your child's risk of a potentially fatal side effect, such as angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications interact with other drugs or substances. This could alter their effects. Some interactions can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Inform your doctor about any other medications you or your child is taking, such as supplements and vitamins, as well as prescription medications. Ritalin can interact with certain antidepressants, especially those containing monoamine inhibitors of oxidase (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. This could cause severe side effects, including suicidal thoughts, actions, seizures, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for those who suffer from circulatory issues like Raynaud's phenomenon or high blood pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms for those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
Some fMRI research has found that a high dose of methylphenidate given to medication responders during stop-and time discrimination tasks increased activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial cingulate cortex, anterior cingulate (ACC), and striatum. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation in non-medication and placebo conditions in the same regions.
These results support the idea that methylphenidate exerts its effects on behavior by increasing extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine, which improve performance in stop and time discrimination tasks. However, other studies of fMRI and behavioral evidence suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants in particular are believed to block dopamine reuptake in certain areas like the striatum, but not in other regions, such the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased ADHD-like symptoms in children who had moderate to severe cases. In some cases however, the combination didn't work as effectively as one medication. medication for adult adhd don't require medication to manage ADHD. Many people are able to develop more effective ways to cope with the disorder through therapy and training.
Clinical trials haven't proven that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both medications are chemically the same, so they should both have the same effects on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is a stimulant of the central nervous system. It can boost mood, focus and concentration when taken as prescribed. It is also effective in treating narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and ADD. However, like all substances that alters the brain, if misused or taken in large amounts, overdose can occur. This can result in heart attack, stroke or coma, as well as other serious medical issues. It is important to recognize the symptoms of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical care.
A Ritalin Overdose can be caused in many ways. For instance, a person could have a mishap and take too much medication because they forget to re-dose their medication. They might also consume other substances that may interfere with the drug and increase its effects or they could be taking it for recreational purposes and aren't aware of how to properly dose it. Long-term Ritalin use can also cause tolerance and psychological dependence that can lead to addiction. Ritalin should only be used 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 specific details regarding the dosage, the time they took it, and what other medications or substances they took. The emergency response team will determine what they should do to help the patient. They usually pump the stomach (a procedure known as gastriclavage) to eliminate any excess drug from the body before they are absorption into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures, so anyone experiencing these symptoms should be carefully monitored by medical professionals. Fluids and antiseizure medication can be used to treat them. Activated charcoal is also given to the patient in order to stop the drugs from entering the body. If they feel hot, the staff at the hospital can cool them down using fans and mists of water to prevent hyperthermia.
If you've been prescribed Ritalin put it in a place where children can't reach it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return program. Also, don't keep any expired or unused medicine. Instead, mix the unneeded medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and throw it away.