12 Companies That Are Leading The Way In Best Medication For ADHD
Best Medication For ADHDThe majority of children and teens who are taking ADHD medication find they concentrate better and are less impulsive. They also feel calmer and get on with their school work. Some individuals may experience a slight slowdown in their growth or a rise in heart rate or bloodpressure when they are taking these drugs.
Medications are available in different forms including tablets, capsules liquid, patches and tablets (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most popular stimulant. It's available in immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts with extended-release.
Stimulants
One of the most effective treatments for ADHD is a class called stimulants. These drugs aid in improving focus and attention by affecting certain neurotransmitters within the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate the pre-frontal cortex region that is often described as the brain's "secretary" because it helps with organizing and planning abilities.
Stimulants are available in short-acting as well as long-acting dosages. The short-acting medicines peak within 30 to 45 minutes and have to be taken two or three times a throughout the day. These include methylphenidates like Ritalin and Concerta amphetamines such as Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphetamines are stronger and last longer, however they both work similar ways to improve focus and attention. There are extended-release versions of a few stimulant drugs. These are a better choice because they last for 8 to 12 hours and are typically taken once a day. Some of these medications are powders that is mixed with liquid to create drinks, while others are in pill form.
Finding the right medicine can take some time. Your doctor will monitor your response to different types of medication and alter the dosage if necessary. The use of medicines should be part of an overall treatment plan that includes behavioral therapy and support.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a more time to work but it can make you feel in control, increase your impulsivity and concentration, and improve your focus. These drugs don't affect dopamine or norepinephrine in the same as stimulants do, and therefore can be safer to use for a longer period of time. They can also be less prone to side effects, such as constipation, heartburn and check here decreased sex drive. Strattera is the first of these drugs that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's a selective reuptake norepinephrine inhibitor. Your doctor might prescribe other medications from this group which include Guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay).
Non-stimulant antidepressants that are off-label can also be prescribed to treat ADHD. Tricyclic antidepressants from the past like Tofranil(imipramine), are used to treat ADHD. Doctors only recommend these drugs in cases where stimulants or other non-stimulants aren't working or cause too many side consequences.
Your doctor can also prescribe atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medications do not have immediate effects but they may help reduce the amount of impulsivity that occurs over time and increase concentration. These drugs are part of a different class of drugs compared to the others and can cause adverse effects such as shaky hands or headache. Your doctor might also recommend the use of a small dose of an antidepressant known as bupropion (Wellbutrin) that isn't an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but can be effective to increase concentration and reduce impulsivity. It can cause some unpleasant but not always serious side effects like hearing loss or changes in vision.