ADHD Medication - Ritalin

Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It helps improve brain communication, which can reduce ADHD.

ADHD medications can have negative side effects like decreased appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, the majority of these are minor and go away by themselves or over time.

Dosage

Ritalin boosts levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters within the brain. These neurotransmitters regulate motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for a long time. It is considered safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the supervision of your physician.

However, there are reports of the abuse of this drug as well as reports of addiction even at the therapeutic dosage level. Physicians must assess each patient's risk and monitor their symptoms throughout the treatment. It is important to inform patients and family members about the dangers of taking medications that are not used and the need to properly dispose of them. It is recommended to use a locked medicine box, which prevents children from consuming unneeded medication. It's also a good idea to inform patients not to divulge their medication to anyone.

This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts, or actions especially in those who are bipolar, depressed or have an history of mental illness. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. This medication can cause an increase in blood pressure which could lead to strokes or heart issues. If you experience chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating contact your doctor immediately. Inform your doctor if there is an ancestor with a history of heart disease, sudden death, or having suffered an accident or suffered from bleeding issues. This medication may affect blood circulation and cause numbness or pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make sleeping difficult.

It is not clear whether the brand-name version of this medication is more efficient than the generic version. Many doctors still prefer the brand-name version due to its safety and effectiveness. It is also important to keep in mind that this medication could be abused and should never be given to someone who is not suffering from ADHD or narcolepsy.

Some people believe that this medication is more effective than others. However it is merely anecdotal evidence, and has not yet been scientifically verified. Some parents have reported that their children respond differently to generic versus name-brand methylphenidate. However, this isn't the case for every child.

Side effects

When you begin medication to treat ADHD it takes a bit of time to determine the appropriate dosage. A healthcare provider will monitor your child's or your own's bodily reactions and make adjustments until they find the most effective medication. These powerful medicines can cause side effects ranging from irritability, sleep problems and serious cardiovascular events.

Ritalin is a drug that contains the active ingredient methylphenidate, and is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, chemical compounds that are associated with control and attention. It also improves your concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can cause serious heart issues, including stroke and sudden death, in people with certain medical conditions, like heart rhythm disturbances as well as high blood pressure and an history of cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.

Similar to other stimulant drugs, Ritalin can cause a decreased appetite and weight loss. It may also raise the blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. This can be a problem in the event of a preexisting heart condition or other heart issues as a result, so your doctor will keep a close eye on your heart rate and blood pressure.

Other adverse effects include changes in mood, like anxiety and depression. These effects can affect the behavior of children, which is particularly challenging for children who are still young. In some instances it can cause 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 for children and teens. However it is usually temporary and does not affect their height at the end of the day.

The medication is available in a variety of forms, but only with a prescription. It could be a tablet that's swallowed, chewed or dissolved in a capsule open and sprinkled onto food or in a liquid. Some people choose to take an instant-acting formulation that lasts from three to six hours, while others take it for a longer time and require an increased dose.

This medication may interact with other drugs like monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It could also increase your or your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, such as angle closure glaucoma.

Interactions

Many medications are able to interact with other medications and substances, which could alter their effects. Certain interactions can be harmful or even fatal. Tell your doctor what other medications you or your child are taking, including vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter medications. Ritalin can interact with other antidepressants. This is especially the case for those with monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors.

MAOIs boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This could cause serious side effects, such as suicidal ideas or actions, seizures, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for individuals with circulatory problems like Raynaud's phenomenon or high pressure. It can also worsen symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in people with these conditions.

Certain fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose of methylphenidate within medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks enhanced activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial prefrontal cortex (MPC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by normalization of the subactivation in the same areas during placebo and off medication for adhd and Bipolar conditions.

These results show that methylphenidate can improve performance in stop and timing discrimination tasks by increasing extracellular norepinephrine and dopamine. Other fMRI and behavioral studies suggest the mechanism is more complicated than increased norepinephrine and dopamine. Particularly, psychostimulants are believed to hinder the reuptake process of dopamine in certain regions, like the striatum, but not others, such as the frontal lobes.

In one study, a mixture of stimulants and nonstimulants helped reduce ADHD-like symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some cases however, the combination didn't perform as effectively as a single drug. The use of medications is not the sole treatment for ADHD and the majority of people do not need them to live with the condition. Many people can learn more effective ways to cope with the disorder through therapy for behavior and training.

Some people anecdotally report that brand-name Ritalin is more effective than the generic version however this hasn't been proven by clinical trials. Both medications are chemically similar, which means they are likely to have the same effect on a majority of people.

Overdose

Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is a stimulant of the central nervous system. It can boost mood, focus and concentration when prescribed. It is also effective in treating narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and ADD. But, as with any drug that alters the brain, if it is misused or taken in large quantities, an overdoses can occur. This can result in heart attack, stroke, coma, and other serious medical problems. It is important to be aware of the symptoms of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical treatment.

A Ritalin Overdose can be caused in a variety of ways. One could accidentally consume too many pills since they did not remember to redose their medication. They could also be taking other substances that could affect the drug and enhance its effects, or they might be using it recreationally and not know how to dose it correctly. Long-term Ritalin usage can result in tolerance and a psychological dependence that can lead to addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those who have a history of drug abuse.

Contact 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should know the dose, when it was taken and if they've consumed any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will be able to better decide on the best medication for ocd and adhd way to treat the patient. They will usually 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 can cause seizures, and anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should be carefully monitored by medical professionals. Fluids and antiseizure medication are a way to treat seizures. Activated charcoal can also be given to the patient in order to prevent the drugs from entering the body. If they feel hot, the staff at the hospital can cool them down by using fans and mists of water to prevent hyperthermia.

If you're given Ritalin be sure to keep it in a secure area where children cannot get it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return program. Lastly, do not keep any unused or expired medication. Instead, mix the unneeded medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and dispose of it.