ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medicine that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It helps improve brain communication, which reduces ADHD.
ADHD medications can trigger negative side effects, including sleepiness and a lack of appetite. However, most of these are minor and disappear on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used for a long time. It is considered safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the guidance of your doctor.
However there are reports of misuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic dosage levels. Therefore, physicians need to evaluate each patient for the risk and monitor these symptoms throughout treatment. It is also important to inform patients and their families on this risk of harm and the need for proper disposal of any unused medication. Utilizing a locked medicine cabinet is ideal, as this prevents children from accessing and consuming doses that are not used. It's also a great idea to tell patients not to share their medication with anyone.
This medication can cause suicidal feelings or thoughts, especially for those who suffer from bipolar disorder or depression or have a mental health history. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure that could lead to 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 the sensation of numbness or pain to your fingers or toes. It can also make sleep difficult.
It is not clear whether the brand-name version of this medication is more efficient than the generic version. Many doctors still prefer the brand-name medication because of its security and effectiveness. It is important to remember that this medication is a risk to abused and should never be administered to a person who isn't suffering from ADHD or narcolepsy.
Some people claim that this medication is more effective than other. However this is only anecdotal evidence, and has not yet been scientifically proved. Some parents have said that their children react differently to name-brand versus generic methylphenidate, however this isn't the case for every child.
Side effects
When you begin medication to treat ADHD it takes a bit of time to find the right dosage. A healthcare provider will monitor your child's or your own's bodily reactions and adjust until they find the most effective dosage. These powerful medicines can cause adverse reactions that range from irritability, sleep problems and severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that contains methylphenidate as its active ingredient. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as dopamine, which are chemicals that control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can cause serious heart issues, including stroke and sudden death, in people with certain medical conditions, including heart rhythm disturbances as well as high blood pressure and an history of heart attack or cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin like other stimulant medications can cause weight loss and a decrease in appetite. It may also increase your child's pulse rate and blood pressure. If you have heart problems or an existing health condition, your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other side effects include changes to mood, such as anxiety and depression. They can also impact behavior which is particularly difficult for children who are taking the drug. In some cases, it may cause tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which is repetitive movements and sounds, such as eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow growth in adolescents and children. However it is usually temporary and doesn't affect their final height.
This medication is available in a variety of forms, but only by prescription. It can be a tablet that is swallowed, chewed or dissolving, a capsule that is open and sprinkled onto food items or a liquid. Some people make use of the formula that has a short-acting effect and lasts between three and six hours. Others prefer it to be long-term, which requires more dose.
This medication may interact with certain other drugs like monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It could also increase your or your child's chance of suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, such as angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications have the potential to interact with other medications and substances, which could alter their effects. Some interactions can be dangerous, even deadly. Inform your doctor about any other medications you or your child are taking, including vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, specifically those that contain monoamine oxide 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 should not be taken by those with issues with circulation, like Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It may also aggravate symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in those who have these conditions.
Certain fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose of methylphenidate in medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks increased activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the striatum. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation in placebo and off-medication conditions in the same regions.
These results support that methylphenidate improves performance in stop and timing discrimination tasks by increasing extracellular norepinephrine and dopamine. Other fMRI and behavioral studies suggest the mechanism is more complex than an increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. In particular, psychostimulants appear to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine in some areas, such as the striatum, but not others, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix of stimulants and non-stimulants reduced ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some cases, however, the combination didn't perform as effectively as one drug. The majority of people don't require medication to deal with ADHD. Training in skills and behavior therapy can help many people learn more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
Clinical trials haven't proved that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. The two drugs are chemically identical, and they should have the same effect on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate is also known as Ritalin is a stimulant for the central nervous system that can improve focus, concentration and mood when taken according to the prescription. It is also effective in treating narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and ADD. It is possible to overdose with any substance that alters brain function. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, coma, and other serious medical issues. It is essential to be aware of the signs of an overdose Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of causes. One could accidentally take too many pills due to the fact that they did not remember to take a dose retake. They may also consume other substances that could interact with the drug and increase its effects, or they might be using it for recreational purposes and aren't aware of how to dose it properly. Additionally, long-term use of Ritalin can lead to addiction and psychological dependence that could lead to addiction. Therefore people with an history of abuse of stimulants or other drugs should only use Ritalin under the supervision of a physician.
medication for adhd if are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. They should be able give the emergency responders specific details regarding their dosage, when they used it, and the other medications or substances they consumed. The emergency response team will determine what they should do to treat the patient. In general, they will pump the stomach, a procedure known as gastric lavage, to eliminate any excess drug from the body before it can be taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. People who experience these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical professionals. Fluids and antiseizure medication can be used to treat seizures. Activated charcoal can also be administered to the patient in order to prevent the drug from entering their body. If they feel hot, the staff at the hospital can cool them down with fans and mists of water in order to prevent hyperthermia.
If you're prescribed Ritalin be sure to store it in a safe area where children cannot get it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return program. Also, don't keep any expired or unusable medicine. Mix the medicine that is not used with cat litter or ground coffee and throw it out.