ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It works by improving the way that parts of the brain communicate, thereby reducing ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can cause negative side effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. Most of these side effects are mild and will disappear on their o own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which are vital neurotransmitters partially responsible for regulating motivation, action, and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used for decades and is considered to be safe when taken in the recommended dosages administered under the supervision of a physician.
However there have been instances of addiction and abuse when the drug is used in therapeutic doses. Physicians must assess the risk of each patient and monitor symptoms throughout the treatment. It is important to inform patients and their relatives about the dangers of taking medications that are not used and the need to properly dispose of them. It is best to utilize a locked medicine box which will prevent children from taking unneeded medication. It is also an excellent idea to inform patients not to share this medication with anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts or feelings especially in those who suffer from bipolar disorder or depression or have a mental illness history. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. This medication may also increase your blood pressure, which could cause stroke or heart problems. If you feel chest pain, a rapid heartbeat or excessive sweating, contact your doctor immediately. Tell your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease, sudden death or any time you've had a stroke or bleeding problems. This medication may cause numbness and pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make sleep difficult.
It is not known if the brand-name version of this medicine is more effective than the generic version. Many doctors still prefer the brand name medication due to its safety and effectiveness. This medication can be abused and should not be given to anyone who isn't suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some claim that this medication is more effective than other. However, this is only anecdotal evidence, and is not yet scientifically proven. Some parents have reported that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate than brand name, however this may not be the case for all children.
Side effects
When you begin medication to treat ADHD it takes a bit of time to determine the appropriate dose. A doctor will be able to monitor your child's body reactions and make adjustments until they discover the most effective dosage. These powerful medicines can cause adverse effects that range from sleep disorders, irritability and serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate and is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It is a stimulant that increases levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, chemicals associated control and attention. It also improves your concentration and reduces anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin may cause serious heart issues, including stroke and sudden death, in people with certain medical conditions, such as heart rhythm disturbances high blood pressure, an history of cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin, like other stimulant medications, can cause weight loss and a decrease in appetite. It may also raise your your child's pulse rate and blood pressure slightly. If you have heart problems or an existing condition Your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other side effects include anxiety as well as depression. These side effects can also affect children's behavior, which is particularly challenging for children who are young. In some instances it can trigger 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. However it is usually temporary and doesn't affect their final height.
The medication is available in various forms, but only with a prescription. The medication is available as a tablet, which is chewed, dissolved or swallowed. It may also be available in the form of a capsule which is then opened and sprinkled over food or liquid. Some people make use of an ingredient that acts quickly and lasts between three and six hours. Others take it long-term and require an increased dosage.
This medication may interact with other medications, such as antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication can also increase the risk of angle closure glaucoma which could be a fatal side effect.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other substances or drugs. This could alter their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful, even deadly. Tell your doctor what other medications you and your child is taking, such as supplements and vitamins, as well as prescription drugs. Ritalin can interact with certain antidepressants, especially those containing monoamine inhibitors of oxidase (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This could cause serious side effects like suicidal thoughts and behaviors, seizures, or hallucinations. Ritalin should not be taken by those who suffer from issues with circulation, like Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It can also worsen symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in those with these conditions.
Certain fMRI studies have shown that an acute dose of methylphenidate administered to patients responding to medication during stop-and-time discrimination tasks increased activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial cingulate cortex, anterior cingulate (ACC) and the striatum. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation during non-medication and placebo conditions in the same regions.
These results support that methylphenidate can improve performance in the tasks of stopping and timing discrimination by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Other fMRI and behavior data suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to hinder the reuptake process of dopamine in specific areas, such as the striatum, but not in others, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mixture of stimulants and nonstimulants helped reduce symptoms of ADHD in children who had moderate to severe cases. However, in a few patients the combination did not perform as well as the single drug. There is no one-stop treatment for ADHD and the majority of people do not need medications to manage the disorder. Behavior therapy and skills training can help a lot of people develop more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
Clinical trials haven't proven 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 more commonly referred to as Ritalin is a stimulant of the central nervous system that can improve concentration, focus, and mood when used according to the prescription. It has also been proven effective in treating ADD/ADHD and the disorder known as narcolepsy. However, like any substance that alters the brain, if misused or taken in large doses, overdoses can happen. This can lead to stroke, heart attack, coma, and other serious medical problems. It is crucial to be aware of the signs of an overdose on Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin Overdose can occur in many ways. A person may take too many pills due to the fact that they didn't remember to redose their medication. Other substances can interact with the drug to enhance its effects, or they may be using it for recreational purposes, and not know how to dose it. Long-term Ritalin use can also lead to tolerance and psychological dependency that can lead addiction. Ritalin is not recommended by those who have an addiction history.
Anyone suffering from a Ritalin overdose should call 911 immediately. First responders should know the dosage, when it was taken and if they've taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will then be able to decide on the best way to treat the patient. adhd medication for adults perform a stomach pump (a procedure referred to as gastriclavage) to remove any excess drug from the body before they are taken up by the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures, and anyone who is who is experiencing these symptoms should be carefully monitored by a medical professional. Fluids and antiseizure medications can be used to treat them. Additionally, the patient could be treated with activated charcoal to prevent any more of the substance from entering the body. The hospital staff may cool the patient with fans or mists cooled water if they feel hot.
If you have been prescribed Ritalin keep it in an area in a place where children aren't able to reach it. You may also ask your pharmacist about a drug take-back program. Lastly, do not keep any expired or unusable medicine. Mix the medicine you don't need with cat litter or ground coffee and then throw it away.