Types of ADHD Medication
The most common drugs prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. These medications boost levels of the neurotransmitter hormones, norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain. This improves concentration and helps control your impulsive behavior.
They are available in tablets or patches (lisdexamfetamine). It is best to opt for long-acting stimulant products, which provide medication throughout the day.
Stimulants
Stimulants are the most frequently used medications for ADHD. They work quickly and reduce ADHD symptoms in 70-80% of the children who use them. They are effective by increasing brain chemical dopamine and norepinephrine. This improves focus and decreases tiredness. Methylphenidate is a stimulant that is commonly used to treat ADHD. It comes in chewable tablets and liquid forms, and it can be taken at least two times a day. Amphetamines, which are a bit stronger than methylphenidates, are also sometimes prescribed to treat ADHD. These medications may cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, so people with preexisting ailments should inform their doctor.
The use of stimulants can result in addiction if misused, such as taking more than the prescribed dosage or mixing them with other substances or alcohol. Patients who take them according to the directions however, do not face an increased risk of becoming addicted. Some evidence suggests that ADHD medication can aid those who are at risk of addiction to avoid addiction.
The FDA has approved a variety of stimulant medications to treat ADHD. Generic medications are available, which means that the chemical formula is the same. Your doctor will prescribe the medication that is best for you or your child.
Your doctor will begin with a small dose and watch how your child or you react before making adjustments to the dosage. Learn Additional will then decide if it is necessary to add a second medication or switch to another one.
Stimulants can cause side effects, such as a dry mouth, a decreased appetite, and changes in mood or sleep patterns. Certain adolescents and children who take these medications experience tics, which are rapid movements or sounds that resemble the sound of a throat clearing or eye blinking. Learn Additional have shown that stimulants may cause a slight decrease in height for some children and teenagers.
Non-stimulant medicines are less effective than stimulants, yet they can improve attention and impulsivity. It could take three to four weeks before they be noticeable. Non-stimulant medication can reduce depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues in certain individuals. They are usually prescribed in combination with a stimulant medication to treat ADHD.
Antidepressants also work in treating ADHD. They alter the levels of serotonin in the brain. Some, such as selective serotonin retake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been shown to improve focus and impulsivity in those suffering from ADHD.
FDA-approved medications that are not stimulants are few and far between. Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants to treat ADHD in addition to or instead of stimulants, if adverse effects are too intense for you. Some people with ADHD may also benefit from antidepressants as they improve memory and reduce impulsivity as well as aggression. Some antidepressants work on dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, and are classified as norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. They are often prescribed in combination with stimulants and could be more efficient than stimulants alone.