ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It improves the way that parts of the brain communicate, thereby reducing ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can cause adverse effects, like suppressed appetite and trouble sleeping. However, most of these are mild and go away on their own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which are important neurotransmitters that are responsible for regulating motivation as well as action and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for many years and is considered safe when doses are prescribed and taken under the supervision by a physician.
However there have been instances of abuse and addiction even when the drug is administered at therapeutic doses. Therefore, doctors should assess each patient for danger and monitor their symptoms throughout treatment. It is essential to inform patients as well as their family members of the dangers of unused medications and the need to properly dispose of them. Using a locked medication box is ideal, as this will stop children from accessing and taking doses that are not needed. It's also a great idea to tell patients not to give their medication to anyone.
This medication could trigger suicidal thoughts or behaviors, especially in people who are depressed, bipolar or have a history of mental illness. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. This medication may also raise your blood pressure, which can cause heart or stroke. If you experience chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating consult your physician immediately. Also, inform your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have ever suffered from any kind of bleeding issue or stroke. This medication can cause numbness and pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make sleep difficult.
It is not clear whether the brand-name version is more effective than the generic version. Many doctors still prefer the brand-name medication due to its security and effectiveness. The medication is a risk for abuse, and should not be given to anyone who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people believe that this medication is more effective than others. However, this is only anecdotal evidence that is not yet scientifically verified. Parents have reported that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate than the brand name, but this might not be true for all children.
Side effects
When you begin medication to treat ADHD it takes a bit of time to find the proper dose. A healthcare provider will monitor the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments in order to find the most effective medication. These medications are potent and can have side effects, from irritability and sleep issues to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate, and is an stimulant to the central nervous system. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, which are chemicals that control and attention. It also improves concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart problems including strokes and sudden deaths for people who suffer from certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disorders and high blood pressure as well as a history or cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can cause a decreased appetite and weight loss. It may also raise your your child's blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. This can be a problem in the event of a preexisting heart condition or heart problems as a result, so your doctor will keep close watch over your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other adverse effects include changes in mood, including anxiety and depression. They can also affect behavior that can be particularly difficult for young children taking the medication. In certain instances, it may cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm), which are repetitive movements or sounds like eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow down growth in adolescents and children. This is usually temporary, and does not alter their height in the future.
The medication is available in a variety of forms, but only on prescription. It can be a tablet that is swallowed, chewed or dissolving in a capsule opened and sprinkled on food or in a liquid. Some people take a short-acting formula that lasts for about three to six hours, whereas others take it long-term and require a higher dose.
More Signup bonuses can interact with other medications like antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. It could also increase your your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, such as angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other substances or drugs. This can alter the effects. Certain interactions can be harmful and even fatal. Tell your doctor what other medications you and your child are taking, including supplements and vitamins as well as over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin can interact with certain antidepressants, particularly those that contain monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This can cause serious side effects like suicidal thoughts, actions as well as hallucinations, seizures, and seizures. Ritalin is not recommended for those with circulatory problems like Raynaud's phenomenon or high blood pressure. It can also cause the onset of Tourette syndrome or tics in those with these conditions.
Certain fMRI studies have shown that a high dose of 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 subactivation in the same regions during placebo and off medication conditions.
These results show that methylphenidate improves performance in stop and timing discrimination tasks by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Other fMRI and behavioral studies suggest that the mechanism is more complex than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, in particular, appear to block the reuptake of dopamine in certain areas, like the striatum, but not in other areas, such as 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 a few patients, the combination did not perform as well as a single drug. Medications are not the only treatment for ADHD, and most people do not require medication to manage the condition. Many people are able to develop better coping skills through therapy for behavior and training.
Clinical trials haven't proven that the name-brand Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both medications are chemically identical, and they should have the same effect on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate more commonly referred to as Ritalin is a stimulant of the central nervous system that can improve focus, concentration and mood when used according to the prescribed dosage. It also works in treating narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and ADD. Overdose is possible with any substance that alters brain function. This can result in heart attack, stroke and coma as well as other serious medical problems. It is essential to identify the signs of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical attention.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of causes. For instance, a person could have a mishap and take too much medication due to the fact that they don't remember to take a dose re-supplement. Other substances may interact with the drug, causing its effects, or they could be using it for recreational purposes, without knowing how to dose it. Additionally, long-term use of Ritalin can result in dependence and tolerance that could lead to addiction. Therefore, those who have an history of using stimulants or other drugs should only use Ritalin under the supervision of a physician.
Call 911 immediately if are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should know the dosage, when it was taken, and if they have taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team can then better determine what to do to treat the patient. They usually pump the stomach (a procedure referred to as gastriclavage) to remove any excess drugs from the body before they can be absorbed in the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures. People who experience these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical experts. They are treated with fluids and anti-seizure medication. In addition, the patient could be treated with activated charcoal to stop any more of the substance from entering the body. The hospital staff may cool the patient with fans or mists of chilled water if they are feeling hot.
If you are prescribed Ritalin, make sure to store it in a safe place where children are not able to reach it. You may also ask your pharmacist for a take-back program. Don't keep expired or unused medication. Mix the medicine that is not used with cat litter or ground coffee and dispose of it.