ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medication that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by improving the way parts of the brain communicate, which reduces ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can cause side effects, such as sleepiness and a lack of appetite. Most of these side effects are mild and will fade on their o own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for decades. It is considered safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the supervision of your physician.
Nevertheless, there have been reports of abuse and addiction even when the drug is administered in therapeutic doses. Physicians must assess the risk of each patient and monitor the symptoms throughout treatment. It is also important to inform patients and their families on this risk of harm and the necessity of proper disposal of any leftover medication. It is best to utilize a locked medicine box that will stop children from accidentally taking unused medication. It is also a great idea to remind patients not to give their medication to anyone.
This medication may cause suicidal thoughts, or actions, especially in people who are bipolar, depressed, or have a history of mental illness. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. This medication may also cause an increase in blood pressure, which can lead to stroke or heart issues. If you experience chest pain, a rapid heartbeat or excessive sweating, call your doctor immediately. Also tell your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death or if you've previously suffered any type of stroke or bleeding problem. This medication can affect your blood circulation and cause numbness or pain in your fingers or toes. It can also make sleep difficult.
It is not known whether the brand-name version of the product is more efficient than its generic counterpart. However, many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version due its proven safety and effectiveness. It is important to remember that this medication could be abused and should never be administered to a person who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some individuals have reported that this medication works better than others, but this is purely anecdotal and hasn't been proved scientifically. Some parents have reported that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate versus name-brand, but this may not be true for all children.
Side effects
When starting medications to treat ADHD it takes a bit of time to determine the appropriate dose. A doctor will be able to monitor the body reactions of your child or yourself and make adjustments in order to find the most effective treatment. These powerful medicines can cause side effects ranging from sleep disorders, irritability and even severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that contains methylphenidate as the active ingredient. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also increases concentration and reduces restlessness as well as hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart problems, including stroke and sudden deaths in patients with certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disorders and high blood pressure and a history or cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications, Ritalin can cause a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It can also increase your your child's pulse rate and blood pressure slightly. This could be a concern in the event of a preexisting heart condition or heart problems as a result, so your doctor will keep a close watch over your heart rate and blood pressure.
Other side effects include anxiety and depression. These effects can affect children's behavior, which can be particularly challenging for children who are still young. In some instances, it can cause tics or TouretteaEURtm(tm) which are repetitive sounds or movements like eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow growth in adolescents and children. This is usually temporary, and does not alter their height at the end of the day.
There are many types of this medication, that are available on prescription only. It can be a tablet that's swallowed, chewed on or dissolved or a capsule that is opened and sprinkled on food or a liquid. Some people choose to use the formula that has a short-acting effect and lasts between three and six hours. Others take it long-term which requires more dosage.
This medication can interact with other medications, such as antidepressants or monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication can increase the risk of angle closure glaucoma which could be a fatal adverse side consequence.
Interactions
Many medications are able to interact with other drugs and substances, which can alter their effects. Certain interactions can be harmful or even fatal. Discuss with your doctor the other medications you and your child is taking, such as supplements and vitamins, as well as prescription drugs. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants. This is especially true for those that contain monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended by people who have issues with circulation, such as Raynaud's phenomenon or high blood pressure. It can also worsen symptoms in people with Tourette syndrome and tics.
Some fMRI research has found that a high dose of methylphenidate given to responders to medication during stop-and-time discrimination tasks increased activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial cingulate cortex, anterior cingulate (ACC) and striatum. These changes were accompanied by normalization of the reduced activation in the same regions under the placebo and off-medicament conditions.
These results show that methylphenidate improves performance in stop and timing discrimination tasks by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Other fMRI and behavioral studies suggest the mechanism is more complicated than increased norepinephrine and dopamine. Psychostimulants, in particular, appear to hinder the reuptake process of dopamine in some regions, like the striatum, but not in other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix between stimulants and nonstimulants reduced ADHD-like symptoms in children who had moderate to severe cases. However, in certain patients the combination did not work as well as the single drug. There is no one-stop treatment for ADHD and the majority of people don't require them to live with the condition. Training in skills and behavior therapy can assist many people in learning better coping strategies.
Clinical trials haven't proved that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. The two medications are chemically identical, so they are likely to have the same effect on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also called Ritalin) is a central nerve system stimulant. It can boost mood, focus and concentration when prescribed. It can also be effective in treating narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and ADD. However, like all substances that alters the brain, if misused or used in large amounts, overdoses can occur. This can result in heart attack, stroke or coma, as well as other serious medical issues. It is crucial to be aware of the symptoms of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical care.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of factors. Someone may accidentally take too many pills due to the fact that they didn't remember to redose their medication. They might also consume other substances that could interfere with the drug and increase its effect, or they might be using it for recreational purposes and not know how to properly dose it. Additionally, long-term use of Ritalin could lead to addiction and psychological dependence that can cause addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those with an addiction history.
Call 911 immediately if are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. They should be able give the emergency responders specific details regarding the dosage, the time they used it, and the other medications or substances they took. add medication uk will determine the best course of action to do to help the patient. Typically, they will pump the stomach, which is known as gastric lavage, to eliminate any excess drugs from the body before it can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical professionals. Fluids and antiseizure medication can be used to treat them. In addition, the person may be given activated charcoal to prevent any further substance from entering the body. If they feel hot, the staff at the hospital can cool them down by using fans and mists of water in order to prevent hyperthermia.
If you're given Ritalin ensure that you store it in a secure area where children cannot get it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return-to-prescription program. Do not keep any expired or unused medication. Mix the medicine that is not used with ground coffee or cat litter and throw it out.