ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It helps improve brain communication, which can reduce ADHD.
ADHD medication can have negative side effects like decreased appetite and difficulty sleeping. Most of these side effects are mild and will fade on their o own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which are key neurotransmitters responsible for controlling motivation as well as action and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for many years and is considered to be safe when taken in the recommended dosages administered under the supervision of a physician.
However there are reports of misuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic doses. Therefore, physicians need to assess each patient for risk and observe these symptoms throughout treatment. It is crucial to inform patients as well as their family members about the dangers of not using medications and the need to properly dispose of them. It is best to use an enclosed medicine cabinet, which prevents children from consuming unneeded medication. It is also recommended to instruct patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication can cause suicidal thoughts or feelings, especially for those who suffer from bipolar disorder, depression or have a mental health history. Consult your doctor away if you have any of these symptoms. This medication can cause an increase in blood pressure which can lead to stroke or heart problems. Get your doctor's attention immediately in case you are experiencing an elevated heart rate, chest pain or sweating. Also, inform your doctor if you have a family history of heart disease or sudden death or if you've previously suffered any type of stroke or bleeding problem. This medication may cause numbness and pain in your feet or fingers. It can also make it difficult to fall asleep.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version of this medicine is more efficient than the generic version. However many doctors prefer the brand-name version due its history of safety and effectiveness. This medication is susceptible to abuse and should not be given to anyone who isn't suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people claim that this medication is more effective than other. However this is only anecdotal evidence, and is not yet scientifically proved. 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 are first starting medication to treat ADHD, it takes some time to find the right dose. A doctor will be able to monitor the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments to determine the most effective treatment. These medicines are extremely effective and can cause side consequences, ranging from irritability and sleep issues to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate and is a central nervous system stimulant. It is a stimulant that increases levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as dopamine, chemicals associated control and attention. It also improves your concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can cause serious heart issues, including strokes and sudden deaths for people with certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure as well as an underlying cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can cause a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It may also cause a slight increase in the speed of your child's pulse as well as blood pressure. This can be a problem when you have a prior heart condition or other heart issues, so your doctor will be on eye on your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. They can also affect behavior which is particularly difficult for children who are just starting to take the medication. In some instances it can trigger symptoms such as tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which are repetitive movements and sounds, such as eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow down growth in children and adolescents. This is usually temporary, and does not alter their height at the end of the day.
The medication is available in several forms, but only by prescription. The medication is available in the form of a tablet that is chewed, dissolving or swallowed. It may also be available in the form of a capsule that is opened and sprinkled on food or liquid. Some people choose to use an ingredient that acts quickly and lasts between three and six hours. Others prefer it to be long-term and require a higher dosage.
This medication could interact with other medications such as antidepressants and monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication may increase the risk of angle closure glaucoma which could be a fatal side effect.
Interactions
Many medications have the potential to interact with other drugs and substances, which could alter their effects. Certain interactions can be dangerous and even life-threatening. It is important to inform your doctor about all other medicines you or your child are taking, including prescription drugs as well as vitamins and supplements. Ritalin is known to interact with antidepressants, particularly those that contain monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended by people who have circulatory problems such as Raynaud's phenomena or high blood pressure. It may also aggravate symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in people who have these conditions.
Certain fMRI studies have shown that an acute dose of methylphenidate given to responders to medication during stop-and-time discrimination tasks boosted activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial cingulate cortex, anterior cingulate (ACC) and striatum. These changes were accompanied with normalization of the underactivation in the same regions during non-medicament and placebo conditions.
These results support that methylphenidate can improve performance in the tasks of stopping and timing discrimination by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. However, other research on fMRI and behavior suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than increased dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, in particular, appear to hinder the reuptake process of dopamine in some areas, such as the striatum, but not in others, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix of stimulants and non-stimulants helped reduce ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in a few patients the combination did not work as well as the single drug. Most people don't require medication to cope with ADHD. Many people are able to develop more effective ways to cope with the disorder through therapy 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 the same, which means they will both have the same effects on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate more commonly referred to as Ritalin, is a stimulant of the central nervous system that improves focus, concentration and mood when taken according to the prescribed dosage. It has also been found to be effective in treating ADD/ADHD and narcolepsy. But, as with any drug that alters the brain, if it is misused or used in large doses, overdose can occur. This can lead to stroke, heart attack or coma. It is crucial to recognize the signs of an overdose Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical attention.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a variety of reasons. One could accidentally take too many pills because they didn't remember to refill their prescription. They could also be taking other substances that can interact with the drug and increase its effects or they may be taking it for recreational purposes and not know how to dose it correctly. Additionally, long-term use of Ritalin can lead to addiction and psychological dependence that can cause addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those who have a history of drug abuse.
Call 911 immediately if are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should know the dose, when it was taken and if they've taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team can determine what they should do to treat the patient. They typically use the stomach pump (a procedure referred to as gastriclavage) to remove any excess drug from the body before they can be taken up by the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures. People who experience these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical experts. Antiseizure and fluids are a way to treat them. In addition, the person might be given activated charcoal to block any further substance from entering the body. The hospital staff can cool the patient with fans or mists cooled water if they feel hot.
If you're given Ritalin ensure that you store it in a safe place where children are not able to reach it. Ask your pharmacist if they have a drug-return program. Do not keep any expired or unneeded medication. Instead, mix the unneeded medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and throw it away.