ADHD Medication - Ritalin

Ritalin is a stimulant medicine that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It improves the way parts of the brain communicate, which can reduce ADHD symptoms.

ADHD medications can cause adverse effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, most of these are mild and disappear on their own or over time.

Dosage

Ritalin boosts levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters within the brain. These neurotransmitters regulate motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for a long time and is considered to be safe in recommended dosages when taken under the supervision of a physician.

Nevertheless there have been instances of addiction and abuse when the drug is administered at therapeutic doses. Therefore, doctors must evaluate each patient for the risk and observe these symptoms throughout treatment. It is important to inform patients and their relatives about the dangers of unused medications and the need to appropriately dispose of them. Utilizing a locked medicine cabinet is ideal since it keeps children from gaining access and taking doses that are not needed. It's also a great idea to inform patients not to give their medication to anyone.

This medication may cause suicidal thoughts or behaviors, especially in people who are bipolar, depressed or have an history of mental illness. Talk with your doctor right immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. This medication may also cause an increase in blood pressure which could lead to strokes or heart issues. If you feel chest pain, a rapid heartbeat or excessive sweating, contact your doctor immediately. Inform your doctor if there is a family history of heart disease, sudden death, or if you've ever had bleeding or stroke issues. This medication may cause numbness and pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make it difficult to sleep.

It is not clear whether the brand-name version is more efficient than the generic version. However many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version due to its safety record and effectiveness. It is important to note that this medication is a risk to abused and should never be given to someone who isn't suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.

Some people have reported that this medication is more effective than others, but this is purely anecdotal and has not been proven scientifically. Parents have reported that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate than brand name, however this may not be true for all children.

Side effects

It takes time to find the appropriate dose when you start treatment for ADHD. A doctor will be able to monitor your child's body reactions and adjust until they can find the most effective dosage. These medicines are extremely effective and may cause adverse consequences, ranging from irritability and sleep issues to serious cardiovascular events.

Ritalin has the active ingredient methylphenidate, and is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, which are chemicals that control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can trigger serious heart problems including stroke and sudden deaths in patients with certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure, as well as the possibility of cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.

Similar to other stimulant drugs, Ritalin can cause a decreased appetite and weight loss. click here! can also increase your or your child's blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. If you have heart issues or an existing health condition your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.

Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. These effects can affect the behavior of children, which is especially difficult for those who are still young. In certain instances it can trigger symptoms such as tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which are repetitive actions and sounds like eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also cause a slowing of growth for children and teens. This is usually temporary, and doesn't alter their height at the end of the day.

There are several kinds of this medication that are available with a prescription only. It can be a tablet that is swallowed, chewed on or dissolved or a capsule that is opened and sprinkled on food items or a liquid. Some people make use of an ingredient that acts quickly and lasts between three and six hours. Others take it long-term and require a higher dosage.

This medication could interact with other medications such as antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication may increase the risk of angle closure glaucoma which could be a fatal adverse effect.

Interactions

Many medications interact with other drugs or substances. This can change the effects of their actions. Certain interactions could be harmful, even deadly. You should tell your doctor about all other medications you or your child taking, including over-the-counter medicines as well as supplements and vitamins. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants. This is particularly the case for those with monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors.

MAOIs increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, such as suicidal ideas or actions, seizures, and hallucinations. Ritalin should not be taken by people who have circulatory problems such as Raynaud's phenomenon or high blood pressure. It can also aggravate symptoms in people with Tourette syndrome and tics.

Certain fMRI studies have shown 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 underactivation when compared to non-medication and placebo conditions in the same regions.

These results support the hypothesis that methylphenidate causes its effects on behavior by increasing extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine, which improve performance in stop and time discrimination tasks. However, other fMRI and behavioral data suggest that the mechanism is more complex than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Particularly, psychostimulants are believed to block the reuptake of dopamine in some regions, like the striatum, but not in others, such as the frontal lobes.

In one study, a mix of stimulants and nonstimulants helped reduce ADHD-like symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some cases, however, the combination didn't perform like a single medication. The majority of people don't require medication to manage ADHD. Many people can learn better ways to cope through therapy and training.

Clinical trials haven't proved that the name-brand Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both medications are chemically identical, so they should have the same effect on a majority of people.

Overdose

Methylphenidate (also called Ritalin) is a central nerve system stimulant. It can improve mood, focus, and concentration when prescribed. It also works in treating narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and ADD. But, as with any drug that alters the brain, if it is misused or taken in large doses, overdose can occur. This can lead to heart attack, stroke or coma, as well as other serious medical problems. Being aware of signs of a Ritalin overdose is vital to the prevention of these symptoms and taking the necessary action to seek medical treatment.

A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of factors. One could accidentally consume too many pills since they did not remember to take a dose retake. They may also consume other substances that may interfere with the drug and enhance its effects or they may be using it recreationally and aren't aware of how to dose it properly. Additionally, long-term use of Ritalin can result in dependence and tolerance that could lead to addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those who have an history of addiction to drugs.

People who are suffering from a Ritalin overdose should dial 911 immediately. They should be able to provide the first responders with specific details regarding the dosage, the time they used it, and the other medications or substances they consumed. The emergency response team will then be able to better decide on the best way to treat the patient. They usually pump the stomach (a procedure referred to as gastriclavage) to remove any excess drug from the body before they can be absorption into the bloodstream.


Ritalin can cause seizures. Anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical professionals. They can be treated by taking fluids and anti-seizure medications. In addition, the patient might be given activated charcoal to prevent any further substance from entering the body. The hospital staff can cool the patient by using fans or mists of chilled water if they are feeling hot.

If you're prescribed Ritalin be sure to keep it in a secure place where children are not able to reach it. Ask your pharmacist if they have a drug-return program. Lastly, do not keep any unused or expired medication. Mix the medicine you don't need with ground coffee or cat litter and dispose of it.