ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is used to treat ADHD. It is used to treat it. It helps improve brain communication, which can reduce ADHD.
ADHD medications can have adverse effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, most of these are mild and disappear on their own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and other neurotransmitters in the brain. medication for adults with add are responsible for regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used for a long time and is considered safe in recommended dosages when taken under the supervision of a physician.
However, there are reports of misuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic dosage levels. Physicians must assess each patient's risk and monitor the symptoms throughout treatment. It is essential to inform patients and family members of the dangers of unused medications and the need to properly dispose of them. It is recommended to use a locked medicine box which will prevent children from consuming unneeded medication. It's also a great idea to tell patients not to give their medication to anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts, or actions, especially in people who are bipolar, depressed, or have an history of mental illness. Talk with your doctor right immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. This medication may also cause an increase in blood pressure, which could lead to strokes or heart problems. If you feel chest pain, a rapid heartbeat or excessive sweating, consult your physician immediately. Tell your doctor if there is any family history of heart disease, sudden death or if you've ever had an accident or suffered from bleeding issues. This medication could affect your blood circulation, causing numbness or pain in your toes and fingers. It can also make it hard to sleep.
It isn't clear whether the brand-name version is more efficient than its generic counterpart. However, many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version because of its safety record and effectiveness. It is also important to keep in mind that this medication can be abused and should never be given to someone who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people claim that this medication is more effective than other. However it is merely anecdotal evidence that has not yet been scientifically verified. Parents have reported that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate as opposed to the brand name, but this might not be true for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to find the correct dose when starting treatment for ADHD. A doctor will be able to monitor the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments to find the most effective treatment. These medicines are extremely effective and may cause adverse effects, ranging from irritability to sleep disorders to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate and is a central nervous system stimulant. It works by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also improves concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin may cause serious heart problems, including stroke and sudden death in those with certain medical conditions, such as heart rhythm disorders, high blood pressure and an underlying cardiovascular disease or cardiac arrest.
Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can cause a decreased appetite and weight loss. It can also slightly increase your child's pulse rate and blood pressure. This could be a concern if you have a preexisting heart condition or other heart issues, so your doctor will keep close watch over your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include changes to mood, such as depression and anxiety. These effects can affect children's behavior, which is especially difficult for those who are young. In some instances, it can cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm) which are repeated sounds or movements such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow the growth in children and teenagers. However it is usually temporary and doesn't affect their final height.
There are a variety of types of this medication, that are available on prescription only. It could be a tablet swallowed, chewed or dissolving, a capsule that is opened and sprinkled on food or in a liquid. Some people make use of an ingredient that acts quickly and lasts between three and six hours. Others prefer it to be long-term and require a higher dosage.
This medication may interact with other medications, such as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It may also increase your your child's risk of a potentially fatal side effect, angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications interact with other drugs or substances. This can change the effects. Certain interactions can be harmful, even deadly. Tell your doctor what other medications you and your child are taking, including vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants. This is especially true for those that contain monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This can lead to serious side effects, including suicidal ideas or seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended by those who suffer from circulatory problems like Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It may also cause more symptoms in those suffering from Tourette syndrome and tics.
Certain fMRI studies have shown that an acute dose of methylphenidate in medication responders during time discrimination and stop tasks increased activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and the striatum 25. These changes were also accompanied by normalization of the subactivation in the same regions during placebo and off medication conditions.
These results support the notion that methylphenidate causes its behavioral effect by increasing extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine, which improve performance in stop and time discrimination tasks. However, other fMRI and behavioral data suggest that the mechanism is more complex than the increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to hinder the reuptake process of dopamine in certain areas, like the striatum, but not other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mixture of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased symptoms of ADHD in children who had moderate to severe cases. In some patients the combination did not work like a single drug. Most people don't need medication to deal with ADHD. Training in skills and behavior therapy can assist many people in learning more effective strategies for coping.
Clinical trials haven't proved that the name-brand 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 called Ritalin) is a stimulant of the central nervous system. It can improve mood, focus, and concentration when taken as prescribed. It can also be effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. However, like any substance that alters the brain, if it is misused or used in large amounts, overdoses can occur. This can lead to stroke, heart attack, or even coma. It is essential to recognize the symptoms of an overdose on Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin Overdose can happen in various ways. For example, someone may have a mishap and take too much medication because they forget to re-dose their medication. They might also consume other substances that can interfere with the drug and increase its effects or they may be using it for recreational purposes and aren't aware of how to dose it correctly. Long-term Ritalin usage can cause tolerance and psychological dependence that can lead to addiction. Therefore, those who have an history of abuse of stimulants or other drugs should only use Ritalin under the supervision of a doctor.
Anyone suffering from a Ritalin overdose should dial 911 immediately. They must be able to give the emergency responders specific details regarding the dosage, the time they used it, and the other drugs or substances they consumed. The emergency response team will then be able to better decide on the best way to treat the patient. Typically, they pump the stomach, a procedure known as gastric lavage, to eliminate any excess drug from the body before it is taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical experts. They can be treated by taking fluids and anti-seizure medication. In addition, the patient might be given activated charcoal to stop any more of the drug from entering the body. If they are feeling hot, the staff at the hospital can cool them down by using fans and mists of water in order to prevent hyperthermia.
If you have been prescribed Ritalin keep it in a place where children can't reach it. You may also ask your pharmacist about a take-back program. Don't keep expired or unneeded medication. Instead, mix the unneeded medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and throw it away.