Watch Out: How Best Medication For ADHD Is Taking Over And What We Can Do About It

Best Medication For ADHD

Most teenagers and children who take ADHD medication find they concentrate better and are less impulsive. They also feel calmer and get on with their school work. Some individuals may experience a slight slowdown in their growth or an increase in blood pressure or heart rate when taking these medications.

Medications are available in different forms like capsules, tablets liquid, patches and pills (such as Daytrana). The most commonly used stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It comes in three forms: immediate-release sustained-release and extended-release.

Stimulants

Stimulants are one of the classes of drugs that can be effective in treating ADHD. These drugs aid in improving focus and attention by affecting certain neurotransmitters within the brain, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, which is often referred to by the term "secretary of the brain" because it helps in the planning and organizing abilities.

Stimulants are available in short-acting as well as long-acting dosages. The short-acting drugs have a peak effect in 30 to 45 minutes and should be taken two or three times a day. Amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates, such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin are among them. Amphetamines are stronger and last longer, but they both function in the same way in improving attention and focus. There are extended-release versions of a few stimulant medications. They are a better option because they last for 8 to 12 hours and are typically taken once a day. Some of these medications are powders that you mix with liquids to create beverages, while some are pills.

Finding the right medicine can take a while. Your doctor will observe how you respond to the various types of drugs and adjust the dosage as needed. The use of medication should be a part of an overall treatment plan that includes behavioral therapy and support.

Non-stimulant ADHD medications take a little longer to kick in however they can help you feel more in control and increase your ability to concentrate, impulsivity and focus. These medications don't affect dopamine and norepinephrine in the way that stimulants do, and therefore can be more secure to use for longer periods of time. These medications can also have less side effects such as constipation, heartburn, and decreased sexual drive. The first medication to be approved by the FDA to treat ADHD is known website as Strattera, and it's an inhibitor of the selective norepinephrine reuptake process. Your doctor could prescribe additional medication from this category which include the guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (Kapvay).

Off-label, non-stimulant antidepressants can also be prescribed to treat ADHD. These are older medications within the tricyclic antidepressant family, such as Tofranil (imipramine). Doctors only recommend these drugs if stimulants and other non-stimulants aren't working or cause too many adverse effects.

Your doctor can also prescribe atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medications do not have a direct effect, but help reduce the tendency to be impulsive and improve concentration over time. They're in a different category than the other options, and they can cause some side effects such as shaky hands or headache. Your doctor might also recommend a low dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin) that isn't an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but can be effective to increase concentration and reduce the impulsivity. It may cause some uncomfortable but not always serious side effects like ringing or changes in vision.