ADHD Stimulant Medication

Stimulant drugs are the first line treatment for ADHD. They have a long record of high response, excellent tolerability and safety across the entire lifespan.

It's important to find a medication and dosage that can ease your child's or your own symptoms without causing side consequences. This may require a lot of trial and error as and a clear communication with your doctor.

Stimulants

Stimulants are drugs that increase activity in the central nervous system. Students, workers, athletes, artists and other people use these drugs to improve their cognitive performance and performance. They are also used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. They also treat binge eating disorder, as well as other anxiety disorders. The most commonly used stimulant medications are amphetamines and methylphenidates.

FDA-approved prescription stimulants come in both prolonged-release and immediate-release formulations. Immediate-release medication is usually taken every 4 hours. When they wear off they can trigger sudden and temporary loss of energy. The crash can cause extreme hunger, mood swings and fatigue. Instant-release medications can also raise blood pressure and heart rate in some people, especially those who don't eat enough.

Extended-release medications are designed to release active ingredients over the course of 8-16 hours. Your doctor might suggest this type of medication if your goal is lasting symptom control and do not need to take a pill multiple times a day. Methylphenidate products that fall into the extended-release category include Ritalin, Concerta, and Focalin. Another alternative is the long-acting methylphenidate patch, known as Daytrana, which sticks to the skin like a band-aid and lasts for the entire day. This type of medication is often given to people with ADHD who require daily doses that last longer than the immediate-release options.

The use of stimulants does not cure ADHD but it can assist manage the symptoms by enhancing how neurons in the brain communicate. By blocking or binding their receptors, they can alter the level of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This allows more neurotransmitters to be released, and it helps messages between neurons be more efficiently sent and received.

Doctors may prescribe antidepressants in addition to stimulants for ADHD. The majority of antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD affect the norepinephrine and dopamine levels in your brain. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibiters are a great option for people with anxiety or depression. These medications are usually paired with stimulants to enhance their effectiveness. Another reason your doctor might switch between non-stimulant and stimulant medication is if the previous medication isn't working or it causes intolerable side effects.

Long-acting

Stimulants can help 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. They can reduce symptoms such as talking to others and fidgeting. They also enhance the performance of your job and improve your social abilities.

Stimulant medications begin to work once they pass through the blood-brain barrier which takes about 45 to 60 minutes. They increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in brain cells, which reduces the impulsivity and hyperactivity. A stimulant drug that is FDA-approved uses one of two molecules, methylphenidate (Adderall Ritalin Vyvanse Concerta) or amphetamine, (Ritalin Adderall XR Vyvanse Vyvanse). Stimulants can cause side reactions that include stomach upset and decreased appetite, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, headaches, and anxiety or nervousness. They can also cause tics to become worse and can cause sleep problems in some people.

Long-acting stimulants (such as Strattera and Wellbutrin) work all day and night, unlike short-acting medications that only last for a couple of hours. They can be used to treat other ailments like anxiety or depression.

The medications affect the way your body regulates chemicals called monoamine oxidases. medications for adhd uk break down dopamine in the brain, along with other neurotransmitters. These chemicals stay in your body for longer if not broken down. This can impact your behavior and your thinking. Long-acting medications can have less side effects, and your doctor will prescribe them in smaller doses that you take throughout the day.

Some stimulants are available in extended release form that you can take every day. This is a good option for some adults, however it's important to that you should take them daily.

SSRIs and other medications have been proven to be effective in treating ADHD in many adults. SSRIs are generally prescribed for depression or anxiety but they can also be prescribed for ADHD. About 70% of patients respond to these drugs. Bupropion, also called Wellbutrin is an SSRI approved for ADHD. It was proven to be more effective in a controlled study than placebos. These SSRIs can cause serious side effects such as ringing in the ears anxiety, changes to vision and heart and lung function in some individuals.


Short-acting

The stimulant drugs work to reduce ADHD symptoms by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. These two chemicals help people manage their behavior and stay focused. They are available in numerous forms, and each comes with its own brand name, such as Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin and Concerta. There are two main types of stimulant medications, methylphenidates and amphetamines. They have the same effects, but their duration of action differs. The methylphenidates produce less lasting effects that can last for up to three hours, whereas the amphetamines are more long-lasting.

Certain individuals are better able to tolerate long-acting stimulant medication than those that use short-acting drugs, so your doctor may prescribe this type. It is important to learn all you can about the drug that you are taking, including the possible side effects, the best dosage, how often it should be taken and any specific warnings that must be followed. This will make it easier to work with your doctor to determine the best medication and dose for you.

These medications can also trigger adverse side effects, like insomnia or a loss of appetite. If you experience these issues, talk to your doctor about altering the dosage or using another drug.

Adults with ADHD who don't respond to stimulants well, may be treated with nonstimulant medication. These medications require longer time to work, but they improve the capacity to pay attention and to control impulses. These drugs might be prescribed alone or in combination with stimulants.

The first of these is atomoxetine (brand names Strattera and Qelbree) It works by increasing norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex, which controls behavior. Another is the guanfacine (brand name Intuniv) that belongs to a class of medications called alpha agonists. They block the reuptake of these brain chemicals and increasing their levels in the bloodstream. Guanfacine, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, has now been proved to be effective in treating ADHD.

Combinations

There are many drug combinations used by people with ADHD. This includes stimulants paired with depressant drugs such as the guanfacine or clonidine. These drugs may influence a calming effect on the brain, and reduce symptoms like insomnia and aggressive behavior. They can also reduce withdrawal symptoms of stimulants. This combination could be dangerous, however, should it not be used properly. Serotonin Syndrome is a drug emergency which occurs when there is a high concentration of serotonin in the body. This combination may also increase blood pressure and heart rate. The risks of taking this medication are more pronounced for those who have pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease.

Combinations of stimulants are more and more being used by teenagers and young adults. These are commonly called "legal highs" and are available at pharmacies. These drugs are also available on the black market. These substances can be dangerous especially when mixed with alcohol and other drugs. The use of polydrugs can be hazardous. Mixing drugs can have unpredictability and negative effects. These include increased heart rate, reduced respiration, paranoia and hallucinations.

Combination therapy is more effective than monopharmacotherapy when it comes to treating ADHD according to a study. Combining medications improved adherence, and allowed patients to achieve greater symptom relief than monotherapy. However some patients halted their treatment due to side effects. In some cases the medication was removed due to sleep issues or worsening of tics. This could be due to a misdiagnosis or a lack of medication.

Nonstimulants are a different treatment option for ADHD. These drugs can be effective in enhancing the quality of attention and impulse control however, they do not perform as well as stimulants. They are less likely to inhibit appetite and increase. Some antidepressants can also be prescribed for ADHD. However, they have a smaller chance of improving focus and concentration.

A number of studies have proven that atomoxetine and methylphenidate (Concerta) can be combined to produce superior results than either by itself. Combining these two medications improved compliance and reduced the risk of side effects for most people. The combination was beneficial for young adults and adolescents. This combination may be an option for children with severe ADHD.