Best Medication For ADHD
The majority of ADHD treatment plans include medications. Finding the right dosage and medication may take time. Be patient and openly communicate with your physician.
Stimulants are used to increase levels of chemicals in the brain which help regulate behavior. They are available in short-acting and long-acting formulations. Short-acting drugs have their peak within several hours and are usually taken three times per day. Long-acting medication lasts 8-12 hours, and is usually taken only once a day.
Stimulants
Stimulants are the best medication for ADHD in children, but they're not always effective in adults. They increase activity in the areas of the brain that control the behavior and attention. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used stimulant used to treat ADHD for people of all ages. It can be prescribed to teenagers, children and adults in pill form. Doctors start off with small doses, and gradually increase them. Some side effects include loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. If you find these side effects bothersome, speak to your doctor to determine ways to lessen or eliminate them.
Methylphenidate is available in tablets that release immediately that are tiny doses taken three or twice times daily. Extended- Iam Psychiatry are taken one time in the morning to release medication throughout the day. The FDA has approved Cotempla XR -ODT and Jornay - PM, two methylphenidate tablets that are designed to last longer in the body.
These drugs can cause heart palpitations as well as trouble sleeping particularly when taking long or large doses. Some sufferers might also experience anxiety or depression when taking these medications.
Most people who take stimulants must be monitored by their physician or a specialist. They will fill out behavioral rating scales, watch the child or teen at school and in their other daily activities, watch for indications of addiction or abuse and examine the individual's height, weight, pulse and blood pressure. Doctors will also monitor the effectiveness of the medication by watching how the child or teen performs in various classes and noting any changes in their target goals.
It is not uncommon for people to try several drugs before settling on the most effective and well-liked one. It's also common for people to switch off and restart medications depending on their needs and life-changing events such as finding an employment change or becoming parents.
The FDA has approved four non-stimulant ADHD medications: Strattera, Intuniv, Kapvay and Qelbree. Unlike stimulants, which boost levels of dopamine, these drugs affect norepinephrine which is a distinct brain chemical that assists in improving concentration and control of impulses. Similar to stimulants, they could cause anxiety, nausea and sleep problems, but these adverse effects are less severe than those caused by stimulants.
Many people who haven't responded to stimulant medications or have intolerable side effects are prescribed a variety of other medicines "off-label" for ADHD which include atypical antidepressants and tricyclic antidepressants. Bupropion, an atypical antidepressant, increases levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain and can cause less significant effects on ADHD symptoms than stimulants. Venlafaxine is another atypical drug that functions as an SNRI. It increases levels of norepinephrine, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters. It may have a slight effect on ADHD symptoms. It is also prescribed for nerve pain associated with diabetes and fibromyalgia. In some cases, specialists will recommend that these medications be used in conjunction with cognitive-behavioral therapy and other interventions. These medications can assist patients to develop better coping techniques and improve their functioning.