Best Medication For ADHD
Teenagers and children taking ADHD medication tend to concentrate better, be less impulsive, and feel calmer. They also get on with schoolwork. Some suffer a slight slowing of growth and experience an increase in heart rate or blood pressure while taking these medicines.
There are a variety of medication that include liquids, tablets, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). The most frequently used stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It comes in three forms: immediate release, sustained-release and extended-release.
Stimulants
One of the best medications for ADHD is a class called stimulants. These drugs help improve concentration and attention by altering certain neurotransmitters within the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, often known as the "secretary of the brain" because it assists in planning and organization abilities.
Stimulants come in short and long-acting doses. The short-acting drugs peak in 30 to 45 minutes, and must be taken twice or three times per day. These include methylphenidates such as Ritalin and Concerta, and amphetamines like Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphetamines can be more potent and last longer than methylphenidates but both work in the same way to increase concentration and attention. There are also extended-release versions of certain stimulant medications. They are a good alternative since they last from 8 to 12 hours, and are usually taken every day. Some of these medications are powders that you mix with liquid to create a drink, while others are in pill form.
Finding the right medication can take a while. Your doctor will monitor your reaction to different kinds of medications and adjust the dosage as needed. Drugs should only be used as part of a complete treatment plan that will include support and behavioral therapy services.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications can take a bit longer to kick in however they can help you feel more in control and improve your impulsivity, concentration and focus. These drugs don't affect dopamine or norepinephrine in the same as stimulants do, which means they can be more secure to use over longer periods of time. They can also have fewer adverse effects, like constipation, heartburn and reduced sexual drive. The first medication to be approved by the FDA to treat ADHD is known as Strattera, and it's a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Your doctor could prescribe additional medicines from this class such as the guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay).
There are also antidepressants that are not stimulant that are prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. These antidepressants with tricyclic chemistry like Tofranil(imipramine) are used to treat ADHD. These drugs are only prescribed by doctors when stimulants or other non-stimulants fail to work or cause too many adverse side effects.
Your doctor may also prescribe the atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These drugs don't have an immediate effect however they can help reduce the tendency to be impulsive and improve concentration over time. adhd anxiety medication are part of a different class of drugs from the others and can trigger negative side effects, such as shaky hands or headache. Your doctor might also recommend taking a low dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin) that is not an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD however it can help increase concentration and reduce impulsivity. It may cause some uncomfortable but not usually serious side effects, like hearing ringing, or changes in vision.