Best Medication For ADHD: The Evolution Of Best Medication For ADHD
Best Medication For ADHDTeenagers and children who take ADHD medication tend to focus more effectively, have less impulsive, and are calmer. They also do better with schoolwork. Some may experience a slight slowing of growth and have an increased blood pressure or heart rate while taking these medicines.
There are many different types of medication, including tablets, liquids patches, capsules, and tablets (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most well-known stimulant. It's available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine amphetamine, and dextroamphetamine with extended release.
Stimulants
One of the best medications for ADHD is a class known as stimulants. These medications help improve concentration and attention by altering certain neurotransmitters in the brain, especially dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate the prefrontal cortex region that is often referred to as the brain's "secretary" because it aids with planning and organizational skills.
Stimulants are available in 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. These include methylphenidates, such as Ritalin and Concerta amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphétamines are stronger and last longer, but they both work the same way in improving attention and focus. Some stimulant medications are available in extended-release forms. These are a better choice because they last between 8 to 12 hours and are usually taken once a here day. Some of these are powders that you mix with liquids to create a beverage, while others are pills.
It can take time to determine the appropriate medication for you or your child. Your doctor will monitor your reaction to different kinds of medication and alter the dosage if needed. Drugs should only be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that will include a combination of behavioral therapy and support services.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications take a little longer to begin working however they can help you feel more in control and improve your impulsivity, concentration and focus. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine in the same way that stimulants do. They are therefore able to be used for a longer time. They can also be less prone to negative effects, including constipation, heartburn, and reduced sex drive. Strattera is the first medication that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of the selective reuptake of norepinephrine. Your doctor could prescribe guanfacine. It is also known as Intuniv or clonidine, that are both drugs in this class.
There are also non-stimulant antidepressants that are prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. Tricyclic antidepressants from the past like Tofranil(imipramine), are used to treat ADHD. Doctors only recommend these drugs in cases where stimulants or other non-stimulants aren't working or cause too many adverse consequences.
Your doctor may prescribe the atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medications do not have a direct effect however they can reduce the impulsivity of people and increase concentration over time. These drugs are part of a different class of drugs from the others and can trigger negative side effects, such as shaky hands or headache. Your doctor may also suggest the use of a small dose of an antidepressant called bupropion (Wellbutrin), which is not an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but works well to improve concentration and reduce impulsivity. It can cause unpleasant, but generally not serious, side effects, such as hearing ringing or changes in vision.