Best Medication For ADHD
Most children and teenagers who are taking ADHD medication notice they focus better, are less impulsive, feel more calm and are able to get on with their school work. Some suffer a slight slowdown in growth and may be experiencing an increase in blood pressure or heart rate while taking these medicines.
There are a variety of medicines, including tablets, liquids, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). The most popular stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It comes in three forms: immediate release, extended-release and sustained-release.
Stimulants
One of the best medications for ADHD is a class called stimulants. These drugs aid in improving attention and focus by affecting certain neurotransmitters within the brain, especially dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate the pre-frontal cortex which is often described as the brain's "secretary" because it helps 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 twice or three times per day. Amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates, such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin, are among these. Amphétamines are stronger and last longer, however they both function in similar ways to improve attention and focus. Certain stimulant medicines are available in extended-release forms. These can be a better option since they last between 8 to 12 hours and are usually taken every day. Some of these are powders that you mix with liquids to create beverages, while some are pills.
Finding the right medication may take some time. Your doctor will be able to monitor your reaction to different kinds of medications and adjust the dosage if necessary. The use of medication should be part of an overall treatment plan that includes behavioral therapy and support.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications can take a bit longer to start working however they can help you feel more in control and improve your impulsivity, concentration and focus. These medications do not affect dopamine or norepinephrine the same way that stimulants do. They can therefore be used for a longer time. They also have less negative effects, including heartburn, constipation and a lessened sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these medications that was get more info approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of the selective reuptake of norepinephrine. Your doctor may prescribe guanfacine. It is also known as Intuniv or clonidine. These are both drugs in this group.
There are also non-stimulant antidepressants that are available off-label to treat ADHD. These antidepressants with tricyclic chemistry like Tofranil(imipramine), are used to treat ADHD. Doctors only suggest these drugs if stimulants and other non-stimulants fail to work or cause too many side consequences.
Your doctor can prescribe the atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medications don't have a direct effect but they may help reduce impulsivity over time and improve concentration. They're in a distinct drug class than the other options and may cause certain side effects like shaking hands or headaches. Your doctor might also suggest the low dose antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin) which is not FDA approved for ADHD treatment, but it can help increase concentration and decrease the impulsivity. It can have some unpleasant but not usually serious, side effects, like hearing ringing, or changes in vision.