Best Medication For ADHD

Teenagers and children who take ADHD medication tend to concentrate better, be less impulsive and more calm. They also get on with schoolwork. Some sufferers may experience a slowing of their growth or a rise in blood pressure or heart rate when they are taking these drugs.

There are many different types of medication, including tablets, liquids, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most common stimulant. It's available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts with extended-release.

Stimulants

Stimulants are a class of drugs that can be effective in treating ADHD. These medications help improve focus and attention by affecting certain neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate the prefrontal cortex, which is often described as the brain's "secretary" because it assists in the planning and organization abilities.

Stimulants are available both in short-acting as well as long-acting dosages. The short-acting medications peak in 30 to 45 minutes and have to be taken two or three times a day. Amphetamines like Adderall and Dexedrine, and methylphenidates like Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin are among these. Amphetamines may be a bit stronger and last longer than methylphenidates, however they work in the same way to improve attention and focus. Certain stimulant medicines are available in extended-release versions. These are a better choice because they last between 8 to 12 hours and are usually taken daily. Some of these medicines are a powder that is mixed with liquid to make a drink, and others are in pill form.

It may take a while to find the right medication for you or your child. Your doctor will be able to monitor your response to different types of medications and adjust the dosage if necessary. The use of medications should be done in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan, which will include support and behavioral therapy services.

Non-stimulant ADHD medications can take a bit longer to begin working but they can help you feel more in control and improve your concentration, impulsivity and focus. These drugs don't affect dopamine or norepinephrine the same way that stimulants do, so they can be more secure to use for longer periods of time. They also have less negative effects, including constipation, heartburn and lessened sex drive. Strattera is the first medication for adhd and odd that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of selective reuptake. Your doctor might prescribe other medication from this category, including the guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (Kapvay).

There are also antidepressants that are not stimulant that can be prescribed off-label to treat Strongest Adhd medication For Adults. These are older medications in the tricyclic antidepressant family such as Tofranil (imipramine). These medications are only prescribed by doctors when stimulants or other non-stimulants do not work or if they cause too many adverse side effects.