How To Explain ADHD Medication Ritalin To Your Grandparents
ADHD Medication – Ritalin Ritalin is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It improves brain communication, which reduces ADHD. ADHD medications can have negative side effects like reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. The majority of these side effects are minor and will fade on their o own or over time. Dosage Ritalin can increase levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and other neurotransmitters within the brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for decades. It is considered safe when taken in the recommended dosages under the guidance of your physician. However, there are reports of abuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic doses. Therefore, physicians need to assess each patient for risk and observe these symptoms throughout treatment. It is also essential to inform patients and their families about the risk of harm and the necessity of proper disposal of any unused medication. Using a locked medication box is ideal, as this prevents children from accessing and accidentally taking unused doses. It is also a good idea to advise patients not to share this medication with anyone. This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts or actions especially in those who are depressed, bipolar or have a history of mental illness. Discuss with your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. This medication can cause an increase in blood pressure which could lead to strokes or heart problems. If you experience chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating consult your physician immediately. Inform your doctor if you have any family history of heart disease or sudden death or if you've ever suffered from any kind of bleeding or stroke. This medication may cause numbness and pain in your feet or fingers. It can also make it difficult to sleep. It is not clear whether the brand-name version of this medication is more efficient than the generic version. Many doctors still prefer the brand-name medication due to its safety and effectiveness. It is important to note that this medication can be misused and should not be administered to anyone who isn't suffering from ADHD or narcolepsy. Some people report that this medication is more effective than others, however this is just anecdotal evidence and hasn't been proved scientifically. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to generic and name-brand methylphenidate. However, this isn't the case for every child. Side effects It takes time to determine the right dose when beginning medication to treat ADHD. A doctor will be able to monitor your or your child's bodily reactions and make adjustments until they can find the most effective treatment. These powerful medications can cause side effects ranging from sleep disorders, irritability and severe cardiovascular events. Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that has methylphenidate as its active ingredient. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also improves concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart issues, including sudden death and stroke in people with certain medical conditions, such as heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure and an underlying cardiovascular disease or cardiac arrest. Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can cause a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It may also cause a slight increase in your child's pulse rate and blood pressure. This could be a concern when you have a prior heart condition or heart problems and your doctor will keep close check on your blood pressure and heart rate. Other adverse effects include anxiety and depression. They can also impact behavior, which can be especially difficult for young children taking the medication. In some cases it can trigger the development of tics or TouretteaEUR™s syndrome, which is repetitive movements and sounds, such as eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow growth for children and teens. However, this is usually temporary and does not affect their height at the end of the day. There are a variety of kinds of this medication which are available by prescription only. The medication can be taken as a tablet, which is chewed, dissolved or swallowed. It may also be available in the form of a capsule, that is opened and sprinkled on food or liquid. Some people use a formula that acts in a short time and lasts for about three to six hours, while others use it long-term and need more dosage. This medication may interact with other medications such as antidepressants or monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication may also increase the risk of angle closure glaucoma, a potentially deadly side result. Interactions Many medications interact with other substances or drugs. This could alter the effects of their actions. Some interactions can be dangerous and even fatal. Discuss with your doctor the other medications you or your child is taking, such as vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants. This is especially relevant for those that contain monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. MAOIs increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This can lead to serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and behaviors, seizures, or hallucinations. Ritalin should not be taken by those with issues with circulation, like Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It may also aggravate symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics for those who have these conditions. Some fMRI research has found that an acute dose methylphenidate given to responders to medication during stop-and-time discrimination tasks increased the activity of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial cingulate cortex, anterior cingulate (ACC) and striatum. These changes were accompanied by normalization of underactivation in non-medication and placebo conditions in the same regions. These results support the idea that methylphenidate exerts its behavioral effect by increasing the amount of dopamine in the extracellular space and norepinephrine, both of which enhance performance in stop and time discrimination tasks. However, additional research on fMRI and behavior suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, specifically, appear to inhibit the dopamine reuptake process in certain regions such as the striatum, but not in other regions like the frontal lobes. In one study, a mixture of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased ADHD-like symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. However, in certain patients the combination didn't perform as well as the single drug. There is medication for add adults -stop treatment for ADHD and the majority of people don't require medication to manage the disorder. Many people can learn better ways to cope through behavior therapy and skill training. A few people have reported that brand-name Ritalin is more effective than the generic form, but this has not been proven by clinical trials. The two drugs are chemically similar, which means they should have the same effect on a majority of people. Overdose Methylphenidate (also called Ritalin) is a stimulant for the central nervous system. It can enhance mood, focus and concentration when prescribed. It is also effective in treating narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and ADD. Overdose is possible with any substance that alters brain function. This could lead to stroke, heart attack or coma. Being aware of the signs of a Ritalin overdose is vital to preventing these symptoms and taking the necessary action to seek medical treatment. A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of factors. A person may take too many pills due to the fact that they did not remember to take a dose retake. Other substances can interact with the drug, causing its effects, or they could be taking it for recreational purposes and not know how to dose it. Long-term Ritalin use can lead to tolerance and psychological dependence that can lead to addiction. In the end those with an history of abuse of stimulants or other drugs should use Ritalin under the supervision of a physician. Anyone suffering from a Ritalin overdose should dial 911 immediately. They should be able to give the emergency responders specific details regarding the dosage, the time they took it, and what other medications or substances they consumed. The emergency response team can determine what they should do to treat the person. They typically use the stomach pump (a procedure referred to as gastriclavage) to eliminate any excess drugs from the body before they are absorption into the bloodstream. Ritalin may trigger seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical professionals. Fluids and antiseizure medication are a way to treat seizures. Activated charcoal is also administered to the patient to prevent the drug from entering the body. If they are feeling hot, the hospital staff can cool them down by using fans and mists of water to prevent hyperthermia. If you've been prescribed Ritalin keep it in an area in a place where children aren't able to reach it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return program. Do not keep any expired or unused medicine. Instead, mix the expired medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and dispose of it.