ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a medication used to treat ADHD. It is used to treat it. It works by improving the way the parts of the brain communicate, which reduces ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can cause adverse effects, like sleepiness and a lack of appetite. However, most of these are minor and will go away on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are vital neurotransmitters that are responsible for regulating motivation actions, cognition, and motivation. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for decades and is considered safe when doses are prescribed and taken under the guidance of a doctor.
However, there are reports of the abuse of this drug as well as reports of addiction even at therapeutic dosage levels. Physicians must determine each patient's risk and monitor symptoms throughout the treatment. It is also essential to educate the patient and their family members on this risk of harm and the necessity of proper disposal of any unused medication. Using a locked medication box is a good idea, since it keeps children from gaining access and accidentally taking unused doses. It is also a good idea to advise patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication may trigger suicidal thoughts or feelings, especially for those who are bipolar or depressed or have a mental illness history. Talk with your doctor right now if you exhibit any of these symptoms. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure, which can lead to stroke or heart issues. 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 stroke or bleeding problem. This medication could affect blood circulation and cause the sensation of numbness or pain to your fingers or toes. It can also make it hard to sleep.
It is not clear whether the brand-name version of this medicine is more efficient than the generic version. However, many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version due to its history of safety and effectiveness. It is also important to note that this medication is a risk to abused and should never be administered to a person who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some claim that this medication is more effective than other. However it is merely anecdotal evidence that has not yet been scientifically proven. Parents have reported that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate versus the brand name, but this might not be the case for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to find the right dose when beginning medication to treat ADHD. A healthcare provider will monitor your child's or your own's bodily reactions and make adjustments until they discover the most effective medication. These medicines are powerful and can have side effects, ranging from irritability to sleep disorders to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nerve system stimulant, which has methylphenidate, the active ingredient. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also increases your concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin may cause serious heart problems, such as stroke and sudden death, for those suffering from certain medical conditions, like heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure and an history of cardiovascular disease or cardiac arrest.
Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can cause a decreased appetite and weight loss. It can also slightly increase the rate of your child's pulse and blood pressure. If you have heart issues or an 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 can be particularly challenging for children who are still young. In certain instances it can cause 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 children and adolescents. This is usually temporary, and doesn't affect their final height.
The medication is available in several forms, but only on prescription. It could be a tablet that's swallowed, chewed or dissolved in a capsule opened and sprinkled on food or a liquid. Some people use the formula that has a short-acting effect and lasts between three and six hours. Others prefer it to be long-term and require a higher dose.
This medication may interact with certain other drugs including monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. This medication can also increase the chance of developing angle closure glaucoma, a potentially deadly adverse effect.
Interactions
Many medications interact with other drugs or substances. This could alter the effects of their actions. Certain interactions can be harmful or even fatal. Inform your doctor about any other medications you or your child is taking, such as supplements and vitamins, as well as prescription medications. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants. This is especially the case for those with monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This could cause serious side effects, such as suicidal ideas or seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin should not be taken by those with circulatory problems such as Raynaud's phenomena or high blood pressure. It can also worsen symptoms in people with Tourette syndrome and tics.
Some fMRI research has found that an acute dose methylphenidate administered to patients responding to medication during stop-and-time discrimination tasks increased the activity of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial cingulate cortex (MCC), anterior cingulate (ACC) and the striatum. These changes were also accompanied by normalization of the reduced activation in the same regions under placebo and off medication conditions.
These results support the hypothesis that methylphenidate exerts its effect on behavior through the increase of extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine, both of which enhance performance in stop and time discrimination tasks. Other fMRI and behavioral data suggest the mechanism is more complicated than increased norepinephrine and dopamine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine in some areas, such as the striatum, but not in other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased ADHD-like symptoms in children who had moderate to severe cases. However, in some patients, the combination did not perform as well as a single drug. Most people don't need medication to manage ADHD. Training in skills and behavior therapy can help a lot of people develop more effective strategies for coping.
Clinical trials haven't proven that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both drugs are chemically same, so they should both have the same effects on a majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate is also known as Ritalin, is a stimulant of the central nervous system that can help improve focus, concentration and mood when taken according to the prescription. It has also been found effective in treating ADD/ADHD as well as Narcolepsy. It is possible to overdose with any substance that alters brain function. This could lead to heart attack, stroke and coma as well as other serious medical problems. It is important to be aware of the signs of an overdose Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical care.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of reasons. A person may consume too many pills since they forgot to redose their medication. Other substances can interact with the drug, causing its effects, or they could be taking it for recreational purposes and not know how to dose it. adult add medications iampsychiatry -term Ritalin use can lead to tolerance and psychological dependence that can lead to addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those who have an history of addiction to drugs.
Patients suffering from a Ritalin overdose should contact 911 immediately. They must be able to provide the emergency personnel with specific details regarding the dosage, the time they took it, and what other drugs or substances they took. The emergency response team will then better determine what to do to treat the person. They will usually perform a stomach pump (a procedure referred to as gastriclavage) to eliminate any excess drugs from the body before they are absorption into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical experts. Antiseizure and fluids can be used to treat seizures. Activated charcoal may also be administered to the patient to stop the drug from entering their body. If they are feeling hot, the medical staff can cool them down with fans and mists of water in order to prevent hyperthermia.
If you are prescribed Ritalin be sure to store it in a safe place where children are not able to reach it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return-to-prescription program. Do not keep any expired or unused medicine. Instead, mix the unused medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and dispose of it.