Best Medication For ADHD
The majority of children and teens who take ADHD medication report that they focus better and are less impulsive. They feel more calm and are able to get on with their schoolwork. Some may experience a slight slowing in growth and could experience an increase in blood pressure or heart rate when taking these drugs.
Medications are available in different forms including tablets, capsules liquid, patches and pills (such as Daytrana). The most frequently used stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It is available in three forms: immediate-release, extended-release and sustained-release.
Stimulants
One of the best medications for ADHD is a class of drugs known as stimulants. These drugs aid in improving focus and attention by affecting certain neurotransmitters in the brain, especially dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, often called the "secretary of the brain" because it aids in the planning and organizing abilities.
Stimulants are available in short-acting and long-acting doses. The short-acting medications are most effective between 30 and 45 minutes, and need to be taken two or three times a day. These include methylphenidates like Ritalin and Concerta amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphetamines are stronger and last longer, but they both work the same way in improving concentration and attention. There are extended-release versions of some stimulant medications. adhd treatment without medication are the best choice since they last from 8 to 12 hours and are typically taken daily. Some of these medications are powders that you mix with liquids to create beverages, while some are pills.
It may take a while to find the right medication for you or your child. Your doctor will watch how you react to various types of medications and will adjust the dosage as needed. Drugs should only be used as part of a complete treatment plan, which will include support and behavioral therapy services.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a bit longer to work but it can make you feel in control, increase your concentration and impulsivity and help you concentration. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine in the same as stimulants do, which means they can be more secure to use for an extended period of time. They can also be less prone to adverse effects, like constipation, heartburn, and lessened sex drive. Strattera is the first of these medications that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of the selective reuptake of norepinephrine. Your doctor might prescribe guanfacine, referred to as Intuniv or clonidine, that are both medicines in this class.
Off-label, non-stimulant antidepressants can also be prescribed to treat ADHD. These are older medications within the tricyclic antidepressant family like Tofranil (imipramine). Doctors will only recommend these medications in cases where stimulants or other non-stimulants fail to work or cause too many side consequences.
Your doctor may prescribe the atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These drugs don't have an immediate impact but they may help reduce the amount of impulsivity that occurs over time and increase concentration. They're in a different drug class than the other options and may cause some adverse effects, such as shaky hands or headache. Your doctor might also suggest the low dose antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin), that is not FDA approved for ADHD treatment but can improve concentration and reduce the impulsivity. It can have some unpleasant, but generally not serious, side effects, including hearing ringing or changes in vision.