Types of ADHD Medication
Stimulants are among the most frequently prescribed medications for ADHD. These medications boost levels of the neurotransmitter hormones norepinephrine as well as dopamine in your brain. This improves your concentration and helps in controlling your impulsive behavior.
They are available in tablets or as a patch (lisdexamfetamine). It is recommended to select long-acting stimulant formulas that provide medication throughout the day.
Stimulants
Stimulants are the most commonly used medications for ADHD. They are fast acting and reduce ADHD symptoms for 70-80 percent of children who use them. They increase the levels of brain chemicals known as dopamine and norepinephrine. This improves focus and decreases fatigue. Methylphenidate is a stimulant that is commonly used to treat ADHD. It is available in liquid or chewable tablet form and can be consumed up to three times per day. Amphetamines are sometimes prescribed for ADHD. They are slightly more powerful than methylphenidates. These medications can temporarily increase the heart rate and blood pressure. People with preexisting health conditions are advised to inform their doctor if they have any of these conditions.
The use of stimulants can result in addiction if they are misused, which means taking more than the recommended dose or mixing them with alcohol or other substances. People who take the prescribed doses do not run the chance of developing addiction. Some evidence suggests that ADHD medication may even help people who are at risk of addiction to stay away from addiction.
The FDA has approved a number of stimulant drugs to treat ADHD. Generic medications are available, meaning that the chemical formula is the same. Your doctor will prescribe whichever medication is most effective for you or your child.
Your doctor will begin with a small dose, and take note of how your child or you react before adjusting dosage. Your doctor will then decide whether it is necessary to introduce a different medicine or switch to a different one.
The effects of stimulants can be adverse including dry mouth, less appetite and changes in sleep or mood. adhd medication and pregnancy and adolescents who use them experience tics, which are sudden movements or sounds like the sound of a throat clearing or eye blinking. Some studies have found that stimulants can cause a slight decrease in height for some teens and children.
inattentive adhd medication -stimulant drugs are slower-acting than stimulants, however they can increase impulsivity and attention. It can take up to four weeks for the medication to start working. Non-stimulant drugs can reduce anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues in some people. Most often, they are prescribed in conjunction with stimulant medication to treat ADHD.
Antidepressants can also be beneficial in treating ADHD. They affect the levels of serotonin in the brain. Certain, like selective serotonin retake inhibitors (SSRIs), have shown to improve impulsivity and focus for people suffering from ADHD.
There aren't many non-stimulant medicines that are FDA-approved to treat ADHD. Your doctor might prescribe antidepressants to treat ADHD in addition to or instead of stimulants, if the side effects are too much for you. They can also aid in improving memory and decrease the impulsivity and aggression of some people with ADHD. Some antidepressants work on dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, and are classified as norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. They are often prescribed in conjunction with stimulants and may be more efficient than stimulants by themselves.