ADHD Stimulant Medication

Stimulant medication is the first-line treatment for ADHD. They have a long history of a robust response, high tolerability and safety across the lifespan.

It's crucial to choose the right dosage and medication that alleviates your or your child's symptoms without causing side effects. It can take a lot of trial and error, as well as a constant dialogue with your doctor.

Stimulants

Stimulants are medications that increase the activity of the central nervous system. Students and workers, athletes, artists, and others use them to enhance their performance and cognitive abilities. They also serve to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, binge eating disorder, and some anxiety disorders. Amphetamines and methylphenidates as well as other stimulant medications are among the most commonly used.

FDA-approved prescription stimulants are available in immediate-release and extended-release formulas. adhd medications for adults -release medications are typically taken every 4 hours. If they are not taken as often, they can cause a sudden and short-term decrease in energy. The crash can cause extreme hunger, mood swings, and fatigue. Immediate-release medication can also increase blood pressure and heartbeats in certain people. This is especially the case when they do not eat enough.

Extended-release drugs are designed to release active ingredients over a time of 8 to 16 hours. This kind of medication could be prescribed by your doctor when you're looking for long-lasting relief from symptoms without taking tablets several times per day. Ritalin Concerta and Focalin are all extended-release methylphenidate products. Another alternative is the methylphenidate long-acting patch known as Daytrana, which sticks to the skin as a band-aid and lasts throughout the day. This kind of medication can be prescribed to adults with ADHD and need daily doses that last longer than immediate-release alternatives.

Stimulant medications do not cure ADHD but it can help manage the symptoms by improving the way neurons in the brain communicate. They do this by affecting the levels of neurotransmitters that are present in the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine, by blocking or binding to their receptors. This allows more neurotransmitters be released, and it aids in ensuring that messages between neurons are more efficiently transmitted and received.

Doctors sometimes prescribe antidepressants in addition to stimulants for ADHD. Most antidepressants doctors prescribe for ADHD affect the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. One of the groups, called selective serotonin receptor inhibitors, is a good option for people who have depression or anxiety, too. These medications are typically paired with stimulants to boost their effectiveness. Your doctor could change between stimulant and a non-stimulant medication in the event that your current medication isn't working or causes an unacceptable side effect.

Long-acting

Stimulants help about 70%-80% of children and adults with ADHD. They can reduce symptoms like fidgeting, arguing with others, and losing focus in conversations or on tasks. They can also improve the quality of work and social skills.

The stimulant medication starts working as soon as it crosses the blood-brain barriers that can take 45 to 60 minutes. They boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels in brain cells, which reduces the impulsivity and hyperactivity. FDA-approved stimulant medications use two molecules that are the methylphenidate (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, Concerta) and amphetamine (Ritalin, Adderall XR, Vyvanse XR). These stimulants can cause adverse effects such as stomach upset, weight loss, an increase in blood pressure and heart rate as well as headaches, anxiety or nervousness. They can also make tics more severe and cause sleep issues in certain people.

Long-acting stimulants (such as Strattera and Wellbutrin) work all night and day unlike medications that last just a few hours. They also aid in other disorders like depression or anxiety.

These medications work by changing the way your body regulates monoamine oxidases. Monoamine oxidases, or enzymes, break down dopamine and other neurotransmitters within the brain. These chemicals remain in the body for longer if not broken down. This could affect your behavior and thinking. Long-acting drugs can have lesser side effects, and your doctor may prescribe them in smaller doses that you consume throughout the day.

Certain stimulants are available in extended-release form that you can take every day. This is a good option for some adults, but it's important to remember to take them every day.

Other medications have been proven to be effective in treating many adults with ADHD, including selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These are usually prescribed for depression or anxiety however they can also be prescribed for ADHD, and about 70% of people are able to respond. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is a different SSRI that has been approved for ADHD and has been demonstrated to be more efficient than placebos in a controlled study. These drugs can cause serious side effects, such as the ringing of ears anxiety, changes in heart, vision and lung function.

Short-acting

The stimulant drugs work to reduce ADHD symptoms by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. These two chemicals help people manage their behavior and stay focused. They are available in a variety of varieties, and each has their own brand name such as Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin and Concerta. There are two primary kinds of stimulant drugs amphetamines, methylphenidates, and methylphenidates. All have similar effects but differ in the length of their effect. The methylphenidates have a shorter-lasting effect lasting as long as three hours. Amphetamines on the other on the other hand, have a longer-lasting impact.

Some people are better in their ability to take stimulant drugs that have a long-acting effect than those that use short-acting drugs, so your doctor may prescribe this type. It is crucial to know all you can about the medication, including possible side effects, how often it should be taken, and any specific warnings that must be heeded. This will help you and your doctor determine the most suitable medication for you.

You should also understand that these drugs can cause some negative side effects, such as trouble getting to sleep or losing appetite. Consult your physician when you experience these side effects. You may need to adjust the dosage or try a different drug.

Adults with ADHD who aren't responding well to stimulants could be treated with non-stimulant drugs that take longer to get started but can improve the ability of a person to concentrate and manage impulses. These drugs can be prescribed on their own or together with stimulants.

The first one is atomoxetine (brand names Strattera and Qelbree), which is a stimulant of norepinephrine and dopamine in the prefrontal brain, which controls the behavior. Another is Guanfacine (brand name Intuniv), which belongs to a class of drugs known as alpha agonists. They work by preventing the absorption of these brain chemicals and increasing their concentration in the bloodstream. Guanfacine was developed for high blood pressure, but it also has been proven to help people with ADHD.

Combinations

There are a variety of drug combinations used by people suffering from ADHD. These include stimulants and depressant drugs such as clonidine and guanfacine. These drugs can have a calming affect on the brain and help reduce symptoms like insomnia and aggressive behaviour. They also aid in preventing withdrawal symptoms that can result from stimulants. This combination could be dangerous, however, if it is not used correctly. Taking two stimulants at the same time increases the risk of developing serotonin-related syndrome, a type of drug emergency that happens when the body has too many serotonin. This combination can also increase blood pressure and heart rate. The risks of using this drug are higher for those who have pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease.

Young adults and teenagers are increasingly taking stimulant-based combinations. These are commonly called "legal highs" and are readily available at pharmacies. They are also available on the black market. These substances can be dangerous particularly when they are combined with alcohol or other drugs. This is referred to as polydrug use and can be extremely dangerous. Mixing drugs can cause unpredictability and negative effects. This includes an increase in heart rate, decreased breathing, hallucinations and paranoia.

A study found that combination therapy was more effective than monopharmacotherapy when treating ADHD. Combining medications improved compliance and allowed patients to achieve more symptom relief than monotherapy. However there were many patients who stopped their treatment because of side effects. In some instances the medication was discontinued due to sleep problems or worsening of tics. This could be due to a poor diagnosis or the absence of medication.

Nonstimulants are also used to treat ADHD. These medications can be effective in enhancing the quality of attention and impulse control however they are not as effective as stimulants. They are also less likely to inhibit growth and affect appetite. Certain antidepressants are also prescribed for ADHD. However they have a lower chance of improving focus and concentration.


In a variety of studies, atomoxetine (Concerta) in combination with methylphenidate, gave better results than any other drug taken on its own. The combination of the two drugs was shown to increase adherence and reduce adverse effects in the majority of people. The combination proved effective for adolescents and young adults. This combination may be a viable option for children suffering from severe ADHD.