A Best Medication For ADHD Success Story You'll Never Imagine

Best Medication For ADHD

Most teenagers and children who take ADHD medication find they concentrate better, are less impulsive, feel calmer and more focused with their schoolwork. Some people may experience a slight slowing in their growth or an increase in blood pressure or heart rate while taking these medications.

Medications are available in different forms, including capsules, tablets liquid, patches and pills (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most well-known stimulant. It's available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release dextroamphetamine and extended-release amphetamine salts.

Stimulants

One of the most effective treatments for ADHD is a class called stimulants. These drugs help improve focus and attention by affecting certain neurotransmitters within the brain, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate the prefrontal cortex region which is often described as the brain's "secretary" because it aids with organizing and planning abilities.

Stimulants are available both in short-acting and long-acting dosages. The short-acting drugs are most effective between 30 and 45 minutes, and need to be taken two or three times per day. Amphetamines like Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin are among them. Amphetamines can be more powerful and last longer than methylphenidates but both work in the same way to improve concentration and attention. Certain stimulant medications are available in extended-release forms. They are a better option since they last from 8 to 12 hours and are usually taken once a day. Certain of these medicines are powders that you mix with liquids to create a beverage, while others are pills.

Finding the right medication may take a bit of time. Your doctor will observe how you react to different kinds of medications and will adjust the dosage if needed. The use of medication should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes behavioral therapy and support.

Non-stimulant ADHD medications take a little longer to start working but they can make you feel more in control and improve your impulsivity, concentration and focus. These medications don't affect dopamine and norepinephrine in the as stimulants do, so they are safer to use over an extended period of time. They also have less side effects, such as constipation, heartburn and reduced sexual drive. The first of these medications to be approved by the FDA to treat ADHD is called Strattera and is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Your doctor might prescribe other medications from this group such as guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay).

Off-label, non-stimulant antidepressants are also available to treat ADHD. These older tricyclic antidepressants, such as Tofranil(imipramine) are prescribed to treat ADHD. Doctors only suggest these drugs if stimulants and other non-stimulants aren't working or cause too many adverse consequences.

Viloxazine and atomoxetine are prescribed by your doctor. These medicines don't have immediate effects however they can help reduce impulsivity and improve concentration over time. These medications are in a different class of drugs from other ones and may cause negative side effects, such as shaky hands or headache. Your doctor might also recommend taking a low dose of an antidepressant called bupropion (Wellbutrin) that is not a FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but can be effective to improve concentration and decrease the impulsivity. It may cause some uncomfortable but not always serious side effects, such as the ringing of your ears or check here changes in your vision.