Best Medication For ADHD
Most children and teenagers who are taking ADHD medication report that they focus better, are less impulsive, feel calmer and more focused with their school work. Some may experience a slight slowdown in growth and may be experiencing an increase in heart rate or blood pressure while taking these medicines.
The medications are available in a variety of forms, including capsules, tablets liquid, patches and pills (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most well-known stimulant. It is available in three forms: immediate-release, sustained-release and extended-release.
Stimulants
Stimulants are one of the classes of drugs that is effective in treating ADHD. These drugs aid in improving focus and attention by affecting 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 aids in planning and organization skills.
Stimulants come in short and long-acting doses. The short-acting medications peak in 30 to 45 minutes, and must be taken twice or three times per day. Amphetamines such as Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin are among these. Amphetamines are more potent and last longer, however they all work in the same way in improving attention and focus. Certain stimulant medicines are available in extended-release versions. They are a better option because they last for 8 to 12 hours and are generally taken only once a day. Certain of these medicines are powders that you mix with liquids to create drinks, while others are pills.
Finding the right medication may take some time. Your doctor will observe your response to different types of medication and alter the dosage if necessary. Drugs should only be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that will include a combination of behavioral therapy and support services.
Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a more time to work however it can help you feel more in control, improve your impulsivity and concentration and help you concentration. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine the same way that stimulants do, so they can be safer to use for longer periods of time. These medications also have less side effects, such as heartburn, constipation and a decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these drugs that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's a selective reuptake norepinephrine inhibitor. Your doctor may prescribe other medicines from this class such as the guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay).
There are also antidepressants that are not stimulant that can be prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. These are older medications within the tricyclic antidepressant family such as Tofranil (imipramine). These drugs are only prescribed by doctors if stimulants or other non-stimulants don't work or cause too many adverse side effects.
Your doctor may also prescribe atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These drugs don't have an immediate effect however they can reduce the tendency to be impulsive and improve concentration over time. They're in a different drug class than the other options and may cause some side effects such as shaky hands or headache. Your doctor may also suggest the use of a small dose of an antidepressant called bupropion (Wellbutrin) that isn't an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but works well to increase concentration and reduce the impulsivity. It can read more cause unpleasant, but generally not serious adverse effects, including ringing in the ears or changes in vision.