Best Medication For ADHD
The majority of children and teens who are taking ADHD medication notice they focus better and are less impulsive. They feel more calm and are able to get on with their school work. Some people may experience a slight slowdown in their growth, or an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure when taking these medications.
There are many different types of medication such as tablets, liquids patches, capsules, and tablets (such as Daytrana). The most popular stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It's available in immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts with extended-release.
Stimulants
One of the best medications for ADHD is a class known as stimulants. These medications improve focus and attention by affecting neurotransmitters, especially norepinephrine and dopamine. These are the chemicals that regulate the prefrontal cortex region which is often described as the brain's "secretary" because it assists with organizing and planning skills.
medications for adhd are available in both short-acting and long-acting doses. The short-acting medications peak in 30 to 45 minutes and have to be taken 2 or 3 times a day. Amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin are among them. Amphetamines can be more powerful and last longer than methylphenidates, however, they both function in the same way to increase concentration and attention. Some stimulant medications are available in extended-release formulations. They are a good alternative since they last from up to 12 hours, and are usually taken daily. Some of these are powders that you mix with liquid to make a drink, while others are pills.
Finding the right medicine can take a while. Your doctor will monitor your reaction to different kinds of medicines and adjust the dosage if needed. The use of medication should be a part of a complete treatment plan that includes a combination of therapy and support.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications take a little longer to kick in, but can help you feel more in control and improve your concentration, impulsivity and focus. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine the same way that stimulants do, so they can be safer to use over a longer period of time. They can also be less prone to adverse effects, like constipation, heartburn and lessened sex 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 guanfacine, also known as Intuniv or clonidine, which are both medications within this category.
There are also antidepressants that are not stimulant that are available off-label to treat ADHD. These are older drugs in the tricyclic antidepressant group, like Tofranil (imipramine). Doctors only recommend these drugs in cases where stimulants or other non-stimulants don't work or cause too many adverse effects.
Your doctor may also prescribe the atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These medications do not have a direct effect however they can reduce impulsivity over time and improve concentration. These drugs are part of a different class of drugs from other ones and may cause adverse effects such as shaky hands or headache. Your doctor may also suggest the use of a small dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin), which is not a FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but can be effective to increase concentration and reduce the impulsivity. It can cause unpleasant but not usually serious adverse effects, like hearing ringing or changes in vision.