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 cause negative side effects, including sleepiness and a lack of appetite. Most of these side effects are mild and will disappear on their o own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for 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 the abuse of this drug as well as reports of addiction even at therapeutic doses. Physicians must determine the risk for 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 need for proper disposal of any unneeded medication. Utilizing a locked medicine cabinet is a good idea, since it prevents children from accessing and accidentally taking unused doses. It's also a good idea to remind patients not to give their medication to anyone.
This medication can cause suicidal feelings or thoughts, particularly in people who suffer from bipolar disorder or depression or have a mental illness history. Talk with your doctor right immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. This medication may also raise your blood pressure, which can cause heart or stroke. If you feel chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating call your doctor immediately. Inform your doctor if you have is any family history of heart disease, sudden death, or if you've ever had a stroke or bleeding problems. This medication can cause numbness or pain in your feet 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. Many doctors still prefer the brand name medication because of its safety and effectiveness. This medication is susceptible to abuse and should not be prescribed to anyone who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some individuals have reported that this medication works better than others, but this is just anecdotal evidence and has not been proven scientifically. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to generic versus name-brand methylphenidate, but this isn't necessarily the case for all children.
Side effects
When you are first starting medication to treat ADHD it takes some time to find the proper dosage. A healthcare provider will monitor your or your child's bodily reactions and adjust until they can find the most effective medication. These powerful medications can trigger adverse reactions that range from sleep disorders, irritability and serious cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a central nerve system stimulant that has methylphenidate as its active ingredient. It works by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also improves your concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart issues, including strokes and sudden deaths in those who suffer from certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure, as well as a history or cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin, like other stimulant drugs, can cause weight loss and a reduction in appetite. It can also increase the blood pressure and pulse rate little. This can be a problem if you have a preexisting heart condition or other heart issues as a result, so your doctor will be on watch over your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include changes to mood, including depression and anxiety. These side effects can affect children's behavior, which is particularly challenging for children who are still young. In some instances, it can cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm), which are repetitive movements or sounds, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow the growth in teenagers and children. However this is usually only temporary and does not affect 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, a capsule that is opened and sprinkled on food items or a liquid. Some people use a formula that acts in a short time and lasts from three to six hours, whereas others take it long-term and need more dose.
This medication could interact with other medications, like antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication may also increase the risk of glaucoma caused by angle closure, a potentially deadly adverse side consequence.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other drugs or substances. This can alter their effects. Certain interactions can be harmful or even fatal. It is important to inform your doctor about all the other medicines you or your child taking, including prescription medications and supplements and vitamins. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants, particularly those that contain monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended by those who suffer from circulatory problems such as Raynaud's phenomena or high blood pressure. It may also aggravate symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics for those who suffer from these conditions.
Some fMRI studies have found 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 25. These changes were accompanied by normalization of underactivation in the placebo and off-medication states in the same regions.
These results suggest that methylphenidate enhances performance in stop and timing discrimination tasks by increasing the extracellular norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Other fMRI and behavior data suggest the mechanism is more complex than an increase in dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants in particular seem to hinder dopamine reuptake in certain areas like the striatum, but not in other regions like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mixture between stimulants and nonstimulants reduced ADHD-like symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in some patients, the combination did not work as well as the single drug. There is no one-stop treatment for ADHD, and most people do not need medication to manage the disorder. Skills training and behavior therapy can help many people learn more effective strategies for coping.
iampsychiatry proved that the name-brand Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both drugs are chemically the same, so they should both have similar effects on the majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also called Ritalin) is a central nerve system stimulant. It can enhance mood, focus and concentration when taken as prescribed. It is also effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. Overdose is a possibility with any substance that alters brain function. This could lead to stroke, heart attack, or coma. Being aware of signs of an Ritalin overdose is vital to preventing these symptoms and taking step to seek medical attention.
A Ritalin overdose can result from a variety of causes. For instance, a person could have a mishap and take too much medication because they do not remember to re-dose their medication. Other substances can interact with the drug, causing its effects, or they may be using it for recreational purposes, and not know how to dose it. Additionally, long-term use of Ritalin can lead to dependence and tolerance that can cause addiction. In the end, those who have an history of abuse of stimulants or other drugs should use Ritalin under the supervision of a medical professional.
Call 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should know the dose, the time it was taken, and if they have consumed any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will then be able to determine the best treatment for the patient. Typically, they will pump the stomach, a process known as gastric lavage, to eliminate any excess drug from the body before it can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. Anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical professionals. They can be treated by taking fluids and anti-seizure medication. Activated charcoal may also be administered to the patient to prevent the drug from circulating into their body. If they feel hot, the medical staff can cool them down by using fans and mists of water to prevent hyperthermia.
If you are prescribed Ritalin, make sure to keep it in a secure place where children are not able to reach it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return program. Lastly, do not keep any expired or unusable medication. Instead, mix the expired medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and throw it away.