A Trip Back In Time: How People Talked About Best Medication For ADHD 20 Years Ago
adhd and depression medication For ADHD
Teenagers and children who take ADHD medication tend to concentrate better, be less impulsive, and are calmer. They also get on with schoolwork. Some experience a minor slowing in growth and could experience an increase in blood pressure or heart rate when taking these drugs.
There are many different types of medication such as tablets, liquids, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most common stimulant. It comes in three forms: immediate release, extended-release and sustained-release.
Stimulants
One of the most effective medications for ADHD is a class of drugs known as stimulants. These drugs enhance focus and attention by affecting neurotransmitters, specifically norepinephrine and dopamine. These are the chemicals that regulate the brain's pre-frontal cortex region, which is often called the brain's "secretary" because it helps with organizing and planning skills.
Stimulants are available in short- and long-acting doses. The short-acting drugs peak within 30 to 45 minutes and need to be taken two or three times a day. Amphetamines like Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin are among them. Amphetamines are more potent and last longer than methylphenidates, however, they both function in the same way to increase attention and focus. Certain stimulant medicines are available in extended-release versions. These can be a better option because they last up to 12 hours and are usually taken once per day. Some of these are powders that you mix with liquids to create a beverage, while others are pills.
Finding the right medication may take some time. Your doctor will watch how you react to different types of drugs and alter the dosage as required. The use of medications should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes support and behavioral therapy.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a bit longer to work but it can make you feel more in control, improve your impulsivity and concentration, and improve your concentration. These medications do not affect norepinephrine or dopamine like stimulants do. They can therefore be utilized for a longer period of time. These medications also have less adverse effects such as heartburn, constipation and a decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these medications that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of selective reuptake. Your doctor could prescribe additional medication from this category which include Guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (Kapvay).
Non-stimulant antidepressants that are off-label can also be prescribed to treat ADHD. Tricyclic antidepressants from the past, such as Tofranil(imipramine) are used to treat ADHD. These drugs are only prescribed by doctors when stimulants or other non-stimulants do not work or if they cause too many adverse side effects.
Viloxazine or Atomoxetine may be prescribed by your doctor. These medications don't have an immediate effect, but help reduce the tendency to be impulsive and improve concentration over time. They're in a different drug category than the other options and may cause some side effects such as shaking hands or headaches. Your doctor might also recommend taking a low dose of an antidepressant called bupropion (Wellbutrin) which is not an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but works well to improve concentration and reduce the impulsivity. It can have some unpleasant but usually not severe, side effects, like ringing in the ears or changes in vision.
