Best Medication For ADHD
Teenagers and children taking ADHD medication tend to concentrate better, be less impulsive, and feel more calm. They also do better with schoolwork. Some experience a minor slowing of growth and have an increased heart rate or blood pressure while taking these medicines.
There are a variety of medications such as tablets, liquids, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most popular stimulant. It's available in immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release amphetamine, and dextroamphetamine with extended release.
Stimulants
One of the most effective treatments for ADHD is a class known as stimulants. These medications help improve concentration and attention by altering certain neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate the prefrontal cortex region that is often referred to as the brain's "secretary" because it aids with organizing and planning skills.
Stimulants come in short and long-acting doses. The short-acting medications peak in 30 to 45 minutes and need to be taken 2 or 3 times a day. Amphetamines like Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates, such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin are among these. Amphétamines are stronger and last longer, but they both function in similarly in improving focus and attention. Certain stimulant medications are available in extended-release formulations. They can be a better option since they last between up to 12 hours, and are usually taken once per day. Some of these medicines are a powder that you mix with liquid to make drinks, while others are in pill form.
Finding medications for adhd uk can take some time. Your doctor will observe how you react to various types of medications and will alter the dosage as required. The use of medicines should be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes behavioral therapy and support.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a little more time to work, but it can help you feel in control, increase your concentration and impulsivity and help you focus. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine in the way that stimulants do, so they can be safer to use for a longer period of time. These medications also be less prone to side effects such as heartburn, constipation and a decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these drugs that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of the selective reuptake of norepinephrine. Your doctor could prescribe guanfacine, referred to as Intuniv or clonidine, that are both medicines in this class.
There are also antidepressants that are not stimulant that can be prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. These older tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil(imipramine), are used to treat ADHD. Doctors will only recommend these medications when stimulants and other non-stimulants fail to work or cause too many side consequences.
Your doctor may also prescribe the atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These drugs don't have immediate effects however they can reduce impulsivity and improve concentration over time. These medications belong to a different class of drugs compared to other ones and may cause side effects like shaky hand or headache. Your doctor may also recommend a low-dose antidepressant, bupropion (Wellbutrin), that is not FDA approved for ADHD treatment, but it can help increase concentration and decrease the risk of impulsivity. It can trigger some uncomfortable but not usually serious side effects, such as hearing loss or changes in vision.