The 10 Most Scariest Things About ADHD Medication Ritalin
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ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medication used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADHD). It works by improving the way parts of the brain communicate, which can reduce ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medication can have negative side effects like reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. Most of these side effects are minor and will go away on their own or over time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are key neurotransmitters partially responsible for regulating motivation as well as action and cognition. It is a psychostimulant and has been used since decades. It is considered safe when you take it in the prescribed dosages under the supervision of a doctor.
However there have been instances of addiction and abuse when the drug is taken at therapeutic doses. Therefore, doctors must examine each patient for danger and monitor their symptoms throughout treatment. It is essential to inform patients and relatives about the dangers of not using medications and the need to appropriately dispose of them. It is best to utilize a locked medicine container that will stop children from consuming unneeded medication. It's also a good idea to tell patients not to divulge their medication to anyone.
This medication may cause suicidal thoughts or behaviors especially in those who are bipolar, depressed or have an history of mental illness. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. This medication may also increase your blood pressure, which can cause stroke or heart problems. Call your doctor right away when you experience a high heart rate, chest pain or sweating. Inform your doctor if you have is an ancestor with a history of heart disease, sudden death, or having suffered a stroke or bleeding problems. This medication can cause numbness and pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make it hard to fall asleep.
It is not known if the brand-name version is more effective than its generic counterpart. However many doctors prefer the brand-name version due its history of safety and effectiveness. The medication is a risk for abuse, and should not be given to anyone who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people have reported that this medication performs better than other medications, but this is purely anecdotal and hasn't been proven scientifically. Some parents have said that their children react differently to generic and name-brand methylphenidate, but this isn't the case for all children.
Side effects
When you begin medication to treat ADHD it takes a bit of time to find the right dose. A healthcare provider will monitor your or your child's bodily reactions and adjust until they discover the most effective dosage. These medicines are powerful and may cause adverse effects, from irritability and sleep problems to severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a nerve system stimulant that has methylphenidate, the active ingredient. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also increases concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can cause serious heart problems, including stroke and sudden deaths in patients who suffer from certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disorders and high blood pressure, as well as an underlying heart attack and cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin as with other stimulant medications, can cause weight loss and a reduction in appetite. It may also increase the rate of your child's pulse and blood pressure. This can be a problem in the event of a preexisting heart condition or heart problems and your doctor will keep a close check on your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other adverse effects include changes in mood, including anxiety and depression. These side effects can affect children's behavior, which is especially difficult for those who are still young. In some cases it can cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm) which are repetitive movements or sounds, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow growth in teenagers and children. However it is usually temporary and doesn't affect their final height.
There are several types of this medication, that are available with a prescription only. It can be a tablet that's swallowed, chewed or dissolving in a capsule open and sprinkled onto food or a liquid. Some people take a formula that acts in a short time and lasts from three to six hours, whereas others take it for a longer time and require a higher dose.
This medication may interact with other medications such as antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. It may also increase your your child's risk of a potentially fatal side effect, called angle closure glaucoma.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other drugs or substances. This can alter the effects. Certain interactions could be harmful and even fatal. Tell your doctor what other medications you and your child take, including supplements and vitamins as well as over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin can interact with certain antidepressants, specifically those that contain monoamine inhibitors of oxidase (MAOIs).
MAOIs increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This could cause serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts, seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin should not be taken by people who have circulatory issues like Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It can also worsen symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in those who have these conditions.
Some fMRI studies have found that an acute dose of methylphenidate within medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks increased activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the striatum. These changes were accompanied with normalization of the subactivation in the same regions during non-medicament and placebo conditions.
These results support the hypothesis that methylphenidate exerts its effect on behavior through the increase of extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine, which improve performance in stop and time-discrimination tasks. However, additional fMRI and behavioral data suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than increased dopamine and norepinephrine. Particularly, psychostimulants are believed to block the reuptake of dopamine in certain areas, such as the striatum, but not in others, such as the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased symptoms of ADHD in children who had moderate to severe cases. In some patients however, the combination didn't work as effectively as a single medication. Most people don't require medication to manage ADHD. Many people are able to develop better coping skills through behavior therapy and skill training.
Clinical trials haven't proven that the name-brand Ritalin is superior to the check here generic version. Both medications are chemically the identical, and therefore should both have the same effects on a majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It can improve mood, focus, and concentration when prescribed. It is also effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. Overdose is a possibility with any substance that alters brain function. This can lead to heart attack, stroke and coma as well as other serious medical problems. It is essential to recognize the symptoms of an overdose on Ritalin to avoid these symptoms and seek medical care.
A Ritalin Overdose can occur in many ways. For instance, a person may overdose because they forget to take a dose re-supplement. Other substances may interact with the drug to enhance its effects, or they may be using it recreationally and not know how to dose it. Long-term Ritalin use can also result in tolerance and a psychological dependence that can lead to addiction. Ritalin should only be used by those who have a history of drug abuse.
Patients suffering from a Ritalin overdose should call 911 immediately. First responders should be aware of the dose, the time it was taken and if they've consumed any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will be able to decide on the best way to treat the patient. Typically, they will pump the stomach, a procedure known as gastric lavage, which is used to remove any excess substance from the body prior to it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures. People who experience these symptoms should therefore be closely monitored by medical experts. Fluids and antiseizure medications can be used to treat seizures. In addition, the patient may be given activated charcoal to block any more of the substance from entering the body. If they feel hot, the hospital staff can cool them down using fans and mists of water to prevent hyperthermia.
If you've been prescribed Ritalin, store it in a location where children can't reach it. Ask your pharmacist if they have a drug-return program. Also, don't keep any unused or expired medicine. Instead, mix the unused medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and throw it away.