Best Medication For ADHD
Teenagers and children who take ADHD medication tend to focus more effectively, have less impulsive and more calm. They also have a better time with schoolwork. Some people may experience a slight slowdown in their growth or a rise in blood pressure or heart rate when they are taking these drugs.
There are a variety of medicines, including tablets, liquids, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most well-known stimulant. It's available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release dextroamphetamine and extended-release amphetamine salts.
Stimulants
Stimulants are a type of drugs that are effective in treating ADHD. These medications improve focus and attention by altering neurotransmitters, especially norepinephrine and dopamine. These are the chemicals that regulate the brain's pre-frontal cortex region that is often referred to as the brain's "secretary" because it helps with planning and organizational abilities.
Stimulants are available in both short-acting and long-acting dosages. The short-acting drugs have a peak effect in 30 to 45 minutes, and must be taken three or twice times a day. Amphetamines like Adderall and Dexedrine, and methylphenidates like Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin, are among these. Amphetamines are more potent and last longer, however they all work in similar ways to improve focus and attention. There are also extended-release versions of certain stimulant drugs. They are a good option since they last between up to 12 hours and are typically taken once per day. Certain of these medicines are powders that you mix with liquids to make drinks, while others are pills.
It can take time to determine the appropriate medication for you or your child. Your doctor will be able to monitor your reaction to different kinds of medicines and adjust the dosage if necessary. The use of medications should be done as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, which will include a combination of behavioral therapy and support services.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications can take a bit longer to kick in but they can help you feel more in control and improve your impulsivity, concentration and focus. These drugs don't affect dopamine or norepinephrine the same way that stimulants do, and therefore can be safer to here use over a longer period of time. These medications can also have less adverse effects such as constipation, heartburn, and decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first medication that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's a selective reuptake norepinephrine inhibitor. Your doctor might prescribe guanfacine, also known as Intuniv or clonidine, which are both drugs in this class.
There are also non-stimulant antidepressants that are available off-label to treat ADHD. These are older medications within the tricyclic antidepressant family, such as Tofranil (imipramine). These medications are only prescribed by physicians if stimulants or other non-stimulants don't work or if they cause too many side effects.
Viloxazine or Atomoxetine may be prescribed by your doctor. These drugs don't have immediate effects however they can reduce impulsivity over time and improve concentration. These drugs are part of a different class of drugs than the others and can trigger side effects like shaky hand or headache. Your doctor may also suggest a low dose of an antidepressant known as bupropion (Wellbutrin) that is not an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD however it can help increase concentration and reduce the impulsivity. It may cause some uncomfortable but usually not severe, side effects, including hearing ringing, or changes in vision.