ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It works by improving the way parts of the brain communicate, which can reduce ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can cause adverse effects, like sleepiness and a lack of appetite. However, the majority of these are minor and disappear on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant and has been used for decades. It is considered to be safe when you take it in the prescribed dosages under the supervision of your doctor.
Nevertheless, there have been reports of addiction and abuse when the drug is used at therapeutic doses. Doctors must evaluate the risk of each patient and monitor the symptoms throughout treatment. It is also crucial to educate the patient and their family members on this risk of harm and the necessity of proper disposal of any unneeded medication. Using a locked medication box is ideal since it keeps children from gaining access and taking doses that are not needed. It is also recommended to instruct patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts or feelings, particularly in people who suffer from bipolar disorder or depression or have a mental illness history. Consult adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication if you have any of these symptoms. This medication may also 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 call your doctor immediately. Inform your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease, sudden death, or having suffered an accident or suffered from bleeding issues. This medication could affect blood circulation, causing the sensation of numbness or pain to your toes and fingers. It can also make sleeping difficult.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version is more effective than its generic counterpart. However, many doctors prefer the brand-name version due its history of safety and effectiveness. It is also important to note that this medication is a risk to abused and should never be administered to a person who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some claim that this medication is more effective than others. However, this is only anecdotal evidence and has not yet been scientifically verified. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to generic versus name-brand methylphenidate, but this isn't necessarily the case for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to determine the correct dose when starting medication to treat ADHD. A healthcare provider will monitor the body reactions of your child or yourself and make adjustments to find the most effective treatment. These medications are potent and may cause adverse effects, from irritability and sleep disorders to serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nerve system stimulant that contains methylphenidate as the active ingredient. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which are chemicals that aid in control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and reduces anxiety and restlessness. Ritalin could cause serious heart issues, including strokes and sudden deaths in patients with certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure as well as an underlying cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease.
Similar to other stimulant drugs, Ritalin can cause a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It can also slightly increase the speed of your child's pulse as well as blood pressure. If you have heart problems or a pre-existing medical condition your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other side effects include anxiety and depression. These effects can affect children's behavior, which can be especially difficult for those who are still young. In some cases it can cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm), which are repetitive sounds or movements such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow down growth in adolescents and children. It is usually temporary and does not alter their height at the end of the day.
There are several forms of this medication, which are available by prescription only. The medication is available in the form of a tablet that can be chewed, dissolved, or swallowed. It can also come in the form of a capsule which is opened and sprinkled over food or liquid. Some people use a formula that is short-acting and lasts between three and six hours. Others take it long-term and require more dose.
This medication could interact with other medications like antidepressants and monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication may also increase the risk of glaucoma caused by angle closure which is a potentially fatal adverse side effect.
Interactions
Many medications interact with other substances or drugs. This could alter the effects of their actions. Some interactions can be dangerous and even fatal. You should inform your doctor about all other medications you or your child are taking, including prescription drugs and vitamins and supplements. Ritalin is known to interact with antidepressants, specifically those that contain monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This can lead to serious side effects like suicidal thoughts and behaviors, seizures, or hallucinations. Ritalin should not be taken by people who have issues with circulation, such as Raynaud's phenomena or high blood pressure. It may also aggravate symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics for those with these conditions.
Some fMRI studies have found that an acute dose of methylphenidate within medication responders during time discrimination and stop tasks increased activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) and medial prefrontal cortex (MPC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by normalization of underactivation in the placebo and off-medication states in the same regions.
These results support the hypothesis that methylphenidate causes its effects on behavior by increasing the amount of dopamine in the extracellular space and norepinephrine levels, which enhance performance in stop and time discrimination tasks. Other fMRI and behavioral studies suggest that the mechanism is more complex than an increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, in particular, appear to block the reuptake of dopamine in certain regions, like the striatum, but not other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a combination of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some cases the combination did not work as well as a single medication. Medications are not the only treatment for ADHD and the majority of people do not need medication to manage the condition. Behavior therapy and skills training can help a lot of people develop more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
Clinical trials have not confirmed that the name-brand Ritalin is superior to the generic version. The two drugs 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 enhance mood, focus and concentration when taken as prescribed. It is also effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. However, like all substances that alters the brain, if it is misused or taken in large quantities, an overdoses can occur. This can lead to stroke, heart attack or even coma. It is essential to identify the signs of an overdose on Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical care.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a variety of causes. A person may take too many pills because they did not remember to redose their medication. They could also be taking other substances that could affect the drug and increase its effect or they could be using it for recreational purposes and not know how to dose it properly. Long-term Ritalin use can cause tolerance and psychological dependence that can lead to addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those with an addiction history.
Call 911 immediately if are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should know the dose, the time it was taken, and if they have consumed any other medications or substances. The emergency response team can determine what they should do to help the patient. They typically use the stomach pump (a procedure called gastriclavage) to remove any excess drugs from the body before they can be taken up by the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures, so anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should be carefully monitored by a medical professional. They are treated with fluids and medications to prevent seizures. Activated charcoal can also be administered to the patient to prevent the drug from circulating into their body. The hospital staff can cool the patient by using fans or mists of cool water if they feel hot.
If you're given Ritalin be sure to store it in a secure area where children cannot get it. Ask your pharmacist if they have a drug-return program. Don't keep expired or unused medication. Instead, mix the unused medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and dispose of it.