ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It works by improving the way parts of the brain communicate, thereby reducing ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can cause side effects, such as sleepiness and a lack of appetite. However, most of these are mild and go away on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and other neurotransmitters within the brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for a long time. It is considered safe when you take it in the prescribed dosages under the supervision of a physician.
Nevertheless there have been reports of abuse and addiction even when the drug is administered at therapeutic doses. Therefore, doctors must examine each patient for risk and monitor these symptoms throughout treatment. It is also important to educate the patient and their family members on this risk of harm and the need for proper disposal of any unneeded medication. It is recommended to use an enclosed medicine cabinet that will stop children from consuming unneeded medication. It's also a good idea to remind patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication may trigger suicidal feelings or thoughts, especially for those who are bipolar or depressed or have a mental health history. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. This medication may also increase your blood pressure, which could result in heart attacks or strokes. If you feel chest pain, a rapid heartbeat or excessive sweating contact your doctor immediately. Inform 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 may affect blood circulation, causing numbness or pain in your fingers or toes. It can also make it hard to sleep.
It isn't known if the brand-name version is more efficient than its generic counterpart. However, many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version because of its history of safety and effectiveness. This medication can be abused, and should not be prescribed to anyone who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some individuals have reported that this medication works better than other medications, but this is purely anecdotal and hasn't been proven scientifically. Some parents report that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate versus brand name, however this may not be true for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to find the correct dose when starting medication to treat ADHD. A healthcare professional will observe the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments to determine the best medication. These medicines are powerful and can cause side effects, from irritability and sleep problems to severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate and is an stimulant to the central nervous system. It is a stimulant that increases levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, which are chemicals that control and attention. It also increases concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can trigger serious heart problems, including stroke and sudden deaths in those with certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure, as well as an underlying cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications, Ritalin can result in a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It may also cause a slight increase in the rate of your child's pulse and blood pressure. If you suffer from heart problems or an existing condition Your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. They can also affect the way you behave which is particularly difficult for children who are taking the drug. In certain instances it can cause the development of tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which is repetitive actions and sounds like eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow the growth in children and teenagers. This is usually temporary, and doesn't alter their height at the end of the day.
There are several forms of this medication, which are available by prescription only. The medication is available as a tablet, which is chewed, dissolving or swallowed. It can also come in the form of a capsule, which is opened and sprinkled on food or liquid. Some people choose to take a formula that acts in a short time and lasts from three to six hours, while others use it for a longer time and require more dosage.
This medication could interact with other medications, such as antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. It could also increase your your child's risk of developing a potentially fatal side effect, called angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other substances or drugs. This can alter their effects. Some interactions can be dangerous and even fatal. Inform your doctor about any other medications you and your child is taking, such as vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin can interact with other antidepressants. This is particularly true for those that contain monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This could cause severe side effects, including suicidal ideas or seizures, actions, and hallucinations. Ritalin should not be taken by people who have circulatory issues such as Raynaud's phenomena or high blood pressure. It may also aggravate symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics for those who have these conditions.
Certain fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose of methylphenidate in medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks enhanced activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and the striatum. These changes were accompanied by normalization of underactivation in non-medication and placebo conditions in the same regions.
These results show 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 the mechanism is more complex than increased norepinephrine and dopamine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to block the reuptake of dopamine in some areas, like the striatum, but not in other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix of stimulants and non-stimulants reduced ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in some patients the combination did not work as well as the single drug. The majority of people don't require medication to cope with ADHD. Training in skills and behavior therapy can help many people learn better coping strategies.
There are reports that the name-brand Ritalin is more effective than the generic form however this hasn't been confirmed by clinical trials. The two medications are chemically identical, so they should have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also called Ritalin) is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It can enhance mood, focus and concentration when taken as prescribed. It also works in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. Overdose is a possibility with any substance that alters brain function. This can result in heart attack, stroke, or coma. It is essential to identify the signs of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical care.
A Ritalin Overdose can be caused in various ways. One could accidentally consume too many pills since they did not remember to redose their medication. Other substances can interact with the drug, causing its effects, or they may be using it recreationally without knowing how to do it. Long-term Ritalin use can result in tolerance and a psychological dependency that can lead addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those with an history of addiction to drugs.
Call 911 immediately if are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. medication for adhd uk must be able to provide the first responders with specific details regarding the dosage, the time they used it, and the other medications or substances they consumed. The emergency response team can determine what they should do to help the patient. Typically, they will pump the stomach, a procedure called gastric lavage, to remove any excess drug from the body before it can be taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures. Anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical experts. Fluids and antiseizure medication can be used to treat seizures. Additionally, the patient could be treated with activated charcoal to prevent any more of the substance from entering the body. If they feel hot, the staff at the hospital can cool them down by using fans and mists of water to prevent hyperthermia.
If you are prescribed Ritalin be sure to keep it in a secure place where children are not able to reach it. You may also ask your pharmacist for a take-back program. Also, don't keep any expired or unusable medicine. Mix the medicine you don't need with cat litter or ground coffee and dispose of it.