Best Medication For ADHD
Teenagers and children who take ADHD medication tend to focus better, be less impulsive, and are more calm. They also get on with schoolwork. medications for adhd uk may experience a slight slowdown in their growth, or an increase in blood pressure or heart rate while taking these medications.
Medications are available in different forms including tablets, capsules liquid, patches and tablets (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most well-known stimulant. It is available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts with extended-release.
Stimulants
Stimulants are a type of drugs that is effective in treating ADHD. These drugs help improve concentration and attention by altering certain neurotransmitters in the brain, especially dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate the brain's pre-frontal cortex region which is often referred to as the brain's "secretary" because it aids with organizing and planning skills.
Stimulants are available in both short-acting and long-acting doses. The short-acting medicines peak within 30 to 45 minutes and have to be taken 2 or 3 times a throughout the day. They include methylphenidates, such as Ritalin and Concerta, and amphetamines like Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphetamines may be a bit stronger and last longer than methylphenidates, however, they both function in the same way to increase concentration and attention. There are also extended-release versions of some stimulant medications. They are a good option since they last between up to 12 hours and are usually taken every day. Some of these are powders that you mix with liquid to create a drink, and others are in pill form.
Finding the right medication can take some time. Your doctor will monitor your reaction to different kinds of medicines and adjust the dosage if needed. Medications should only be used in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan that will include a combination of behavioral therapy and support services.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications can take a bit longer to start working, but can help you feel more in control and increase your ability to concentrate, impulsivity and focus. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine the same way that stimulants do, which means they can be safer to use for a longer period of time. These medications also have less adverse negative effects like heartburn, constipation and a decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these drugs that was approved by FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of selective reuptake. Your doctor could prescribe guanfacine. It is also known as Intuniv or clonidine, which are both drugs in this class.
There are also non-stimulant antidepressants that are available off-label to treat ADHD. These are older drugs in the tricyclic antidepressant family, like Tofranil (imipramine). These medications are only prescribed by doctors if stimulants or other non-stimulants fail to work or cause too many adverse side effects.
Viloxazine or atomoxetine can be prescribed by your doctor. These medications do not have an immediate impact however they can reduce impulsivity over time and improve concentration. These medications are in a different class of drugs from other ones and may cause side effects like shaky hand or headache. Your doctor may also suggest the use of a small dose of an antidepressant known as bupropion (Wellbutrin) which isn't an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but can be effective to improve concentration and reduce the impulsivity. It can have some unpleasant but not usually serious, side effects, such as hearing ringing, or changes in vision.