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ADHD Stimulant Medication Stimulant medication is the first-line treatment for ADHD. They have a long record of a robust response, high tolerability and safety across the lifespan. It's important to find the right dosage and medication that can ease your child's or your own symptoms without causing side negative effects. It can take a lot of trial and error as and a clear communication with your doctor. Stimulants Stimulants are medications that increase the activity of the central nervous system. They are frequently used for performance enhancement and cognitive enhancers by students, athletes, artists, and workers. They also serve to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, binge eating disorder, as well as other anxiety disorders. The most popular stimulant drugs are amphetamines and methylphenidates. FDA-approved prescription stimulants come in both prolonged-release and immediate-release formulations. The immediate-release medications are typically taken every 4 hours. If they are not taken as often, they can cause an abrupt and brief decrease in energy. The crash could cause extreme mood swings, hunger, and fatigue. Instant-release medications can also raise blood pressure and heart rate in some people, especially when they don't eat enough. Extended-release medication is formulated to release active ingredients over the course of 8-16 hours. Your doctor may suggest this type of medication if your goal is lasting symptom control and do not need to take a pill multiple times per day. Ritalin Concerta and Focalin are all extended-release methylphenidate medications. Another alternative is the methylphenidate long-acting patch called Daytrana that adheres to the skin as a band-aid and lasts all day. This kind of medication is available to adults with ADHD and need a daily dosage that lasts longer than immediate-release alternatives. The use of stimulants does not cure ADHD but it can help manage the symptoms by improving how neurons in the brain communicate. By blocking or binding their receptors, they can affect the levels of neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine, in the brain. This allows more neurotransmitters be released, and assists in ensuring that messages between neurons are more efficiently sent and received. In addition to stimulants, doctors can prescribe antidepressants to treat ADHD. The majority of antidepressants doctors prescribe for ADHD alter the levels of norepinephrine serotonin, and dopamine in your brain. One of the groups, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, is a good option for people suffering from depression or anxiety. These drugs are typically combined with stimulants to enhance their effectiveness. Your doctor may switch between stimulant and non-stimulant drug if your current medication isn't working or has intolerable side effect. Long-acting About 70 to 80% children and adults with ADHD benefit from stimulants. They reduce symptoms like talking to others and fidgeting. They also help improve the social skills of employees and improve their performance. The stimulant medication starts to work once it has crossed the blood-brain barriers, which takes 45-60 minutes. They increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in brain cells, which decreases the impulsivity and hyperactivity. The FDA-approved stimulant medication consists of one of two molecules, methylphenidate (Adderall Ritalin Vyvanse Concerta) or amphetamine, (Ritalin Adderall XR Vyvanse Vyvanse). The stimulants can trigger side reactions that include stomach upset and decreased appetite, elevated heart rate and blood pressure as well as headaches, anxiety or nervousness. They can also make tics worse and may cause sleep problems in some people. Long-acting stimulants, like Strattera or Wellbutrin, work day and night. Short-acting medicines only last a few hours. They can also be used to treat other conditions such as depression or anxiety. These medications work by changing the way that your body regulates chemical called monoamine oxidases. Monoamine oxidases break down dopamine inside the brain and other neurotransmitters. These chemicals stay in your body for longer if they're not broken down. This can impact your behavior and thinking. Long-acting medications can have lesser negative effects. Your doctor will prescribe smaller doses that you take throughout the day. Some stimulants are available in extended release form that you can take daily. Adults may prefer this option however, it is important to keep in mind to take the stimulants every day. Other medications have been found to be effective for a lot of adults with ADHD, including selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). medication for add adults are generally prescribed to treat anxiety or depression but can be prescribed for ADHD. Around 70% of people respond to these medications. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is a different SSRI that has been approved for ADHD and has been shown to be more efficient than placebos in a controlled study. These SSRIs can cause serious side effects such as hearing ringing anxiety, a change to vision and lung and heart function in certain people. Short-acting Stimulant medications reduce ADHD symptoms by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain. These two chemicals assist people to control their behavior and focus. These drugs come in many different forms and each has its own brand name, like Adderall Vyvanse Ritalin Concerta. There are two primary types of stimulant medications amphetamines, methylphenidates, and methylphenidates. All have similar effects but differ in the length of their effect. The methylphenidates may have a shorter-lasting effect, lasting as long as three hours. Amphetamines on the other hand have a longer-lasting effect. Certain individuals are better able to tolerate long-acting stimulant medication than short-acting medications which is why your doctor may prescribe this kind of drug. It is essential to know everything you can about the drug and its potential side effects, how often it is recommended to take it and any specific warnings that must be followed. This will assist you and your doctor determine the most suitable medication for you. These medications can also trigger adverse side effects, such as difficulty sleeping or loss in appetite. If these happen, talk to your doctor about altering the dosage or using different medications. Adults with ADHD who don't respond well to stimulants, may be treated with non-stimulant drugs. These medicines require longer time to work, but improve the ability to pay attention and to manage impulses. These medications can be prescribed in combination or as a single dose. Atomoxetine, also referred to as Strattera or Qelbree is the first. It is a stimulant of dopamine and norepinephrine within the prefrontal cortex which controls behavior. Another is Guanfacine (brand name Intuniv) that belongs to a class of drugs called alpha agonists. They block the absorption of these brain chemicals, and increasing their level in the bloodstream. Guanfacine was developed to treat high blood pressure but it has also been proven to aid people suffering from ADHD. Combinations There are a variety of combinations of drugs used by those with ADHD. These include stimulants with depressant drugs such as the guanfacine and clonidine. These drugs may have a calming affect on the brain, and reduce symptoms like insomnia and aggressive behavior. They also help prevent withdrawal symptoms that can result from stimulants. This combination could be dangerous however, if it is not used properly. Serotonin Syndrome is a drug emergency that occurs when there is a high concentration of serotonin in the body. This combination may also increase the blood pressure and heart rate. Heart disease sufferers or those with high blood pressure are at greater chance of experiencing adverse reactions from this drug. Combinations of stimulants are more and more being used by teens and young adults. These substances, which are sold in pharmacies, are sometimes called “legal highs”. These drugs are also sold on the black market. These substances are dangerous, especially if combined with alcohol or other substances. This is referred to as polydrug usage and can be very dangerous. Mixing drugs can result in dangerous and unpredictable consequences. This includes an increase in heart rate, decreased respiration, paranoia and hallucinations. A study concluded that combination therapy was more effective than monopharmacotherapy when treating ADHD. Combining medications helped improve adherence and enabled patients to experience better relief from symptoms than monotherapy. Many patients, however, were unable to continue treatment due adverse effects. In a few cases it was reported that the medication was withdrawn due to sleep problems or worsening tics. This could be due to a poor diagnosis or a lack of medication. Nonstimulants are another treatment option for ADHD. These drugs enhance the quality of attention and impulse control, but they don't work as effectively as stimulants. They are also less likely to suppress growth and alter appetite. Certain antidepressants may also be prescribed for ADHD. However, they have a smaller chance of improving focus and concentration. Several studies have shown that atomoxetine and methylphenidate (Concerta) can be used together to achieve better results than either drug by itself. The combination of these two medications was found to increase adherence and reduce side effects in most people. The combination proved effective for adolescents and young adults. This combination could be a viable treatment for children with severe ADHD.