ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant drug that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It improves the way the parts of the brain communicate, which can reduce ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can cause side effects such as a diminished appetite and trouble sleeping. The majority of these side effects are minor and will go away on their o own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin boosts the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which are vital neurotransmitters partially responsible for regulating motivation, action, and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used since decades. It is considered safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the guidance of your physician.
However, there are reports of the abuse of this drug as well as reports of addiction even at the therapeutic dosage level. Doctors must evaluate the risk of each patient and monitor symptoms throughout the treatment. It is important to inform patients as well as their relatives about the dangers of unused medications and the need to properly get rid of them. A locked medicine box is ideal since it keeps children from gaining access and taking doses that are not needed. It is also an excellent idea to inform patients not to share this medication with anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal feelings or thoughts, particularly in people who are bipolar or depressed or have a mental health history. Consult your doctor away if you have any of these symptoms. This medication may also cause an increase in blood pressure, which can cause strokes or heart issues. If you feel chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating, contact your doctor immediately. Inform your doctor if you have a family history of heart disease or sudden death or if you've ever had any type of bleeding or stroke. This medication could affect blood circulation, causing numbness or pain in your toes or fingers. It can also make it hard to sleep.
It isn't clear whether the brand-name version is more efficient than its generic counterpart. Many doctors still prefer the brand name medication due to its effectiveness and safety. The medication is a risk for abuse and should not be administered to anyone who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people claim that this medication is more effective than other. However adhd medication uk buy online is merely anecdotal evidence that is not yet scientifically proven. Some parents report that their children react differently to generic methylphenidate versus name-brand, but this may not be true for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to find the correct dose when starting treatment for ADHD. A doctor will be able to monitor the body reactions of your child or yourself and make adjustments to find the best medication. These powerful medicines can cause adverse reactions that range from sleep issues, irritability and even severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate. It is a central nervous system stimulant. It works by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which are chemicals that aid in control and attention. It also increases concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can trigger serious heart problems including stroke and sudden deaths in people with certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure, as well as a history or cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Ritalin like other stimulant medications, can cause weight loss and a reduction in appetite. It can also increase your or your child's blood pressure and pulse rate slightly. If you have heart problems or an existing health condition your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other side effects include changes to mood, such as depression and anxiety. They can also impact behavior which is particularly difficult for children who are just starting to take the drug. In certain instances it can trigger tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which is repetitive movements and sounds, such as eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow down growth in adolescents and children. However, this is usually temporary and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
The medication is available in various forms, but only by prescription. It could be a tablet that is swallowed, chewed or dissolved in a capsule opened and sprinkled on food items or a liquid. Some people choose to use a formula that is short-acting and lasts between three and six hours. Some people take it for a longer time which requires a higher dose.
This medication may interact with other medications like monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. It may also increase your or 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 could alter the effects of their actions. Certain interactions could be harmful and even life-threatening. You should inform your doctor about all the other medications you or your child is taking, including over-the-counter medicines as well as supplements and vitamins. Ritalin can interact with some antidepressants. This is particularly true for those that contain monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This could cause serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts, seizures, actions, and hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended by those with circulatory problems such as Raynaud's phenomena or high blood pressure. It can also cause the onset of Tourette syndrome or tics for those who have these conditions.
A few fMRI studies have revealed that an acute dose methylphenidate administered to patients responding to medication during stop-and time discrimination tasks increased the activity of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial cingulate cortex, anterior cingulate (ACC) and the striatum. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation during the placebo and off-medication states in the same regions.
These results support the hypothesis that methylphenidate causes its effect on behavior through the increase of extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine levels, which enhance performance in stop and time discrimination tasks. However, other research on fMRI and behavior suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than increased dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, specifically, appear to inhibit the dopamine reuptake in specific areas like the striatum, but not in other areas like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mixture of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in a few patients, the combination did not work as well as the single drug. The majority of people don't require medication to deal with ADHD. Skills training and behavior therapy can assist many people in learning better coping strategies.
A few people have reported that name-brand Ritalin is more effective than the generic form however this hasn't been confirmed by clinical studies. Both drugs are chemically the identical, and therefore should both have the same effects on most people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is a central nerve system stimulant. It can enhance mood, focus and concentration when prescribed. It has also been proven to be effective in treating ADD/ADHD and narcolepsy. Overdose is a possibility with any substance that alters brain function. This can lead to stroke, heart attack, or even coma. Being aware of the symptoms of an Ritalin overdose is crucial to the prevention of these symptoms and taking the necessary action to seek medical treatment.
A Ritalin Overdose can happen in many ways. Someone may accidentally take too many pills due to the fact that they didn't remember to redose their medication. Other substances can interact with the drug to increase its effects, or they could be using it recreationally and not know how to dose it. In addition, long-term usage of Ritalin can result in dependence and tolerance which can lead to addiction. As a result those with an history of abuse of stimulants or other drugs should only use Ritalin under the supervision of a medical professional.
Patients suffering from a Ritalin overdose should dial 911 immediately. First responders should know the dosage, when it was taken, and if they have taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team can determine what they should do to treat the patient. In general, they will pump the stomach, a procedure called gastric lavage, to remove any excess drugs from the body before it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Ritalin can trigger seizures, and anyone who is who is experiencing these symptoms should be carefully monitored by a medical professional. Antiseizure and fluids can be used to treat seizures. Additionally, the patient could be treated with activated charcoal to prevent any further substance from entering the body. The hospital staff can cool the patient with fans or mists cool water if they feel hot.
If you have been prescribed Ritalin keep it in a place that is secure and where children cannot access it. You can also ask your pharmacist for a take-back program. Don't keep expired or unneeded medication. Mix the unused medicine with cat litter or ground coffee and then throw it away.