ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medicine used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It improves the way that parts of the brain communicate, thereby reducing ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can have adverse effects, such as decreased appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, the majority of these are mild and will go away on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters within the brain. These neurotransmitters regulate motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that 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 have been reports of abuse and addiction even when the drug is taken at therapeutic doses. Therefore, doctors must evaluate each patient for the danger and monitor their symptoms throughout treatment. It is important to inform patients as well as their family members of the dangers of unused medications and the need to properly dispose of them. It is best to utilize an enclosed medicine cabinet which will prevent children from accidentally taking unused medication. It is also a great idea to tell patients not to divulge their medication to anyone.
This medication may cause suicidal thoughts or behaviors particularly in those who are bipolar, depressed, or have a history of mental illness. Discuss with your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure that can cause strokes or heart issues. If you experience chest pain, a rapid heartbeat or excessive sweating, consult your physician immediately. Also, inform your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease or sudden death, or if you have ever had any type of bleeding issue or stroke. This medication can affect your blood circulation and cause numbness or pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make it hard to sleep.
It is not known whether the brand-name version of the product is more effective than its generic counterpart. However, many doctors prefer the brand-name version due to its proven safety and effectiveness. It is important to keep in mind that this medication could be misused and should not be given to someone who is not suffering from ADHD or narcolepsy.
Some people believe that this medication is more effective than other. However this is only anecdotal evidence that is not yet scientifically proven. Some parents have reported that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate than name-brand, but this may not be true for all children.
Side effects
When starting medications to treat ADHD, it takes some time to determine the appropriate dose. A doctor will be able to monitor your child's or your own's bodily reactions and adjust until they can find the most effective treatment. These powerful medicines can cause adverse reactions that range from sleep issues, irritability and severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin has the active ingredient methylphenidate. It is an stimulant to the central nervous system. It works by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, which are chemicals that aid in control and attention. It also improves concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin may cause serious heart problems, including sudden death and stroke in those with certain medical conditions, such as heart rhythm disturbances high blood pressure, an history of cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin, like other stimulant medications, can cause weight loss and a reduction in appetite. It can also increase your or your child's blood pressure and pulse rate little. This could be a problem if you have a preexisting heart condition or other heart issues as a result, so your doctor will keep close check on your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include changes in mood, like anxiety and depression. These side effects can affect children's behavior, which can be particularly difficult 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 cause a slowing of growth for children and teens. It is usually temporary and doesn't alter their height in the future.
There are many types of this medication, that are available on prescription only. It could be a tablet that is swallowed, chewed on or dissolved, a capsule that is open and sprinkled onto food items or a liquid. Some people take an instant-acting formulation that lasts from three to six hours, whereas others take it long-term and need a higher dose.
This medication can interact with certain other drugs, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It can also increase your your child's risk of a potentially fatal side effect, such as angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other drugs or substances. This can change the effects of their actions. Certain interactions could be harmful, even deadly. Inform your doctor about any other medications you or your child are taking, including supplements and vitamins as well as over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin can interact with certain antidepressants, especially those containing monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, such as suicidal ideas or seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for individuals with circulatory problems, such as Raynaud’s phenomenon or high blood pressure. It can also cause the onset of Tourette syndrome or tics in people with these conditions.
Certain fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose of methylphenidate within medication responders during time discrimination and stop tasks increased activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by normalization of the reduced activation in the same regions during the placebo and off-medicament conditions.
These results show that methylphenidate can improve performance in tasks of stop and timing discrimination by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. However, additional fMRI and behavioral data suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, in particular, appear to inhibit the dopamine reuptake in certain areas such as the striatum, but not in other areas, such the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mixture between stimulants and nonstimulants reduced ADHD-like symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some patients, however, the combination did not work like a single medication. Most people don't require medication to cope with ADHD. Behavior therapy and skills training can assist many people in learning more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
A few people have reported that name-brand Ritalin is more effective than the generic version however this hasn't been confirmed by clinical studies. Both medications are chemically similar, which means they are likely to have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate, more commonly known as Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that can improve focus, concentration and mood when taken according to the prescription. It is also effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. But, as with any drug that alters the brain, if it is misused or used in large doses, overdoses can occur. This could lead to heart attack, stroke and coma as well as other serious medical issues. It is important to identify the symptoms of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin Overdose can happen in a variety of ways. A person may consume too many pills since they forgot to take a dose retake. Other substances may interact with the drug to enhance its effects, or they could be taking it for recreational purposes without knowing how to dose it. Long-term Ritalin use can also result in tolerance and a psychological dependence that could lead to addiction. Therefore people with a history of abusing stimulants or other drugs should use Ritalin under the supervision of a medical professional.
Anyone suffering from a Ritalin overdose should contact 911 immediately. buy adhd medication uk should be aware of the dosage, when it was taken and if they've taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will determine what they should do to treat the person. Typically, they will pump the stomach, a procedure known as gastric lavage, to eliminate any excess drug from the body before it is taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures. Anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical experts. They can be treated by taking fluids and medications to prevent seizures. Additionally, the patient might be given activated charcoal to prevent any further drug from entering the body. The hospital staff may cool the patient by using fans or mists of chilled water if they are feeling hot.
If you've been prescribed Ritalin, store it in a place where children can't reach it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return-to-prescription program. Don't keep expired or unused medication. Instead, mix the expired medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and throw it away.