How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication
ADHD symptoms can be treated by taking medication. This increases the amount of a neurotransmitter known as Norepinephrine in the brain.
Stimulants are the most common medication prescribed for children with ADHD.
You can select between short- and long-acting dosages. They are more efficient and last for between 8 and 12 hours. They should be taken only one time per day. They also lessen the effects of rebound, where symptoms return, usually more than before, as the medication wears off.
Stimulants
Stimulants are among the most popular type of prescription medicine that healthcare providers use to treat ADHD. They boost the levels neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain, called dopamine and norepinephrine. This helps you concentrate and pay attention.
However, stimulants can cause side effects, especially when used for a prolonged duration. Talk to your doctor about the potential side effects of these medications, including changes in appetite, mood and heart rate. Also, you should know how they affect your sleep.
If you take a stimulant drug for long periods of time, you could be at risk of becoming addicted or abuse. Addiction occurs the feeling that you cannot control your urge to use a stimulant regardless of its negative side effects. Addiction may be a sign of a desire to take more than your doctor suggests or being dependent on the drug.
The use of stimulant drugs can also cause other health issues like depression and suicidal thoughts. It is imperative to report the police if you suspect someone you know is using stimulant medications to harm themselves or others.
Amphetamines (brand-name Ritalin, Concerta, or Dexamphetamine) are two of the most commonly used stimulants to treat ADHD. Amphetamines are available in immediate-release (short-acting) or extended-release (intermediate-acting) tablets, capsules or liquids. They are usually taken one or twice a day.
The longer-acting versions of amphetamines perform better than their shorter-acting counterparts. https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adult-adhd-medication/ can last from six to eight hours, and assist you in completing your day without having to worry about "ups" and downs.
Extended-release stimulants may be used with an immediate release medication in the afternoon. This can be helpful should your ADHD symptoms begin to show up later in the day or you experience an irritability as a result of the medication fading early.
To help you sleep it is recommended to take a small amount of an elongating stimulant may be taken at bedtime. Do not take this medication in the absence of hunger. It could cause sleep issues and energy loss.
Sleepiness is a common adverse effect of stimulants in the beginning stages of treatment. It can be alleviated by not taking the medication prior to the time of bed and getting enough sleep each night.
Anxiety is another typical adverse effect of stimulants. It can be moderate to severe and could cause tics. These are sudden movements or sound like eye blinking, throat clearing, or throat clearing. It can also exacerbate an existing depression or bipolar disorder.
Although changes in blood pressure and heart rate could occur, they are typically not significant. Your doctor may prescribe medications to lower your blood pressure and improve your heart's performance in the event that you begin taking stimulants for ADHD.
Insomnia is a possible result of ADHD medication. The problem can be reduced when you use stimulants in conjunction using prescription sleep aids or when you employ meditation or relaxation techniques prior going to bed.