Best Medication For adhd Medication not working

most popular adhd medication teenagers and children who take ADHD medication report that they focus better and are less impulsive. They also feel calmer and get on with their schoolwork. Some may experience a slight slowing of growth and experience an increase in blood pressure or heart rate when taking these medications.

The medications are available in a variety of forms like capsules, tablets liquid, patches and pills (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most common stimulant. It is available in three forms: immediate-release, sustained-release and extended-release.

Stimulants

One of the most effective treatments for ADHD is a class known as stimulants. These medications help improve concentration and attention by altering certain neurotransmitters within the brain, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate the brain's pre-frontal cortex which is often called the brain's "secretary" because it aids with planning and organizational abilities.

Stimulants come in short and long-acting doses. The short-acting medications peak in 30 to 45 minutes, and need to be taken two or three times per every day. Amphetamines like Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin are among these. Amphetamines are more potent and last longer, but they both work the same way in improving concentration and attention. Certain stimulant medicines are available in extended-release versions. These can be a better alternative since they last from up to 12 hours and are typically taken daily. Some of these medications are powders that you mix with liquid to make a drink, and others are in pill form.

Finding the right medication can take a while. Your doctor will observe your reaction to different kinds of medications and adjust the dosage if necessary. The use of medications should be done as part of a complete treatment plan that will include behavioral therapy and support services.

Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a bit longer to kick in, but can help you feel more in control and increase your ability to concentrate, impulsivity and focus. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine in the way that stimulants do, and therefore can be more secure to use over an extended period of time. These medications can also be less prone to side effects such as constipation, heartburn, and decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these drugs that was approved by FDA to treat ADHD. It's a selective reuptake norepinephrine inhibitor. Your doctor could prescribe additional medications from this group which include the guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay).

There are also antidepressants that are not stimulant that are available off-label to treat ADHD. These are older medications in the tricyclic antidepressant family, like Tofranil (imipramine). These drugs are only prescribed by physicians if stimulants or other non-stimulants do not work or cause too many side effects.

Viloxazine or atomoxetine can be prescribed by your doctor. These drugs do not have a direct effect however they can help reduce the tendency to be impulsive and improve concentration over time. They're in a different drug category than the other options and may cause some adverse effects, such as shaking hands or headaches. Your doctor may also suggest a low dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin) which isn't an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD however it can help improve concentration and reduce impulsivity. It can cause some unpleasant but not usually serious side effects, such as the ringing of your ears or changes in your vision.