Best Medication For ADHD
The majority of children and teens who are taking ADHD medication report that they focus better, are less impulsive, feel calmer and get on with their school work. Some may experience a slight slowdown in growth and may experience an increase in heart rate or blood pressure when taking these medications.
They are available in various forms like capsules, tablets, liquid and patches (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most common stimulant. It's available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release dextroamphetamine and extended-release amphetamine salts.
Stimulants
One of the most effective treatments for ADHD is a class called stimulants. These drugs improve concentration and attention by altering neurotransmitters, especially norepinephrine and dopamine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, often known as the "secretary of the brain" because it aids in planning and organization abilities.
Stimulants come in short- and long-acting doses. The short-acting drugs peak in 30 to 45 minutes and should be taken twice or three times per day. Amphetamines such as Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates, such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin are among them. Amphétamines are stronger and last longer, but they both function in the same way in improving attention and focus. Certain stimulant medications are available in extended-release formulations. These are a better choice because they last between 8 to 12 hours and are usually taken daily. Some of these are a powder that is mixed with liquid to create a drink, and others are pills.
It can take time to find the right medication for you or your child. Your doctor will watch how you react to various types of drugs and adjust the dosage as needed. The use of medicines should be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes behavioral therapy and support.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a more time to work, but it can help you feel more in control, improve your impulsivity and concentration and help you concentration. These medications don't affect dopamine or norepinephrine the same way that stimulants do. They are therefore able to be used for a longer time. These medications also have less adverse negative effects like constipation, heartburn, and decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first medication that was approved by FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of selective reuptake. Your doctor might prescribe guanfacine, referred to as Intuniv or clonidine, that are both medicines in this class.
There are also adhd treatment without medication that are not stimulant that are prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. These older tricyclic antidepressants, such as Tofranil(imipramine) are used to treat ADHD. Doctors only recommend these drugs in cases where stimulants or other non-stimulants don't work or cause too many side negative effects.
Viloxazine and atomoxetine are prescribed by your physician. These drugs do not have a direct effect, but help reduce the impulsivity of people and increase concentration over time. These drugs are part of a different class of drugs compared to the others and can cause adverse effects such as shaky hands or headache. Your doctor might also recommend a low dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin) which isn't an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but can be effective to increase concentration and reduce impulsivity. It can cause some unpleasant but not always serious side effects such as hearing loss or changes in vision.