Best Medication For ADHD

Teenagers and children taking ADHD medication tend to focus more effectively, have less impulsive, and feel calmer. They also get on with schoolwork. Some experience a minor slowdown in growth and may experience an increase in heart rate or blood pressure when taking these drugs.

Medications are available in different forms including tablets, capsules, liquid and patches (such as Daytrana). The most frequently used stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It is available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release dextroamphetamine and extended-release amphetamine salts.

Stimulants

One of the most effective medications for ADHD is a class called stimulants. These medications help improve concentration and attention by altering certain neurotransmitters within the brain, especially dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, often referred to by the term "secretary of the brain" because it assists in the planning and organizing abilities.

Stimulants are available in short-acting as well as long-acting dosages. The short-acting drugs peak within 30 to 45 minutes and need to be taken two or three times a every day. These include methylphenidates such as Ritalin and Concerta amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine. Amphétamines are stronger and last longer, but they both function in the same way in improving focus and attention. Some stimulant medications are available in extended-release forms. They can doctors prescribe adhd medication be a better option because they last 8 to 12 hours, and are usually taken once per day. Certain of these medicines are powders that you mix with liquids to create beverages, while some are pills.

It may take a while to find the right medication for adhd and odd for your child or yourself. Your doctor will monitor your response to different types of medication and alter the dosage if needed. The use of medications should be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes support and behavioral therapy.

Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a bit longer to begin working but they can make you feel more in control and increase your ability to concentrate, impulsivity and focus. These drugs don't affect dopamine or norepinephrine in the way that stimulants do, which means they can be safer to use for an extended period of time. They can also have fewer negative effects, including heartburn, constipation and a lessened sex drive. Strattera is the first of these drugs that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of selective reuptake. Your doctor may prescribe other medicines from this class which include Guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay).

There are also non-stimulant antidepressants that are prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. These are older medications within the tricyclic antidepressant group, like Tofranil (imipramine). Doctors will only recommend these medications in cases where stimulants or other non-stimulants fail to work or cause too many adverse consequences.

Viloxazine or Atomoxetine may be prescribed by your doctor. These drugs don't have immediate effects, but they can help reduce the amount of impulsivity that occurs over time and increase concentration. They're in a different drug class than the other options and can trigger certain side effects like shaky hands or headache. Your doctor might also recommend taking a low dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin), which is not an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but works well to improve concentration and reduce the impulsivity. It can cause some unpleasant but not usually serious side effects like the ringing of your ears or changes in your vision.