Add ADHD Medications to Your Treatment Plan
Stimulant medications may cause side effects such as nausea, tics, or minor growth retardations. They can also affect heart rate and blood pressure.
It is crucial to consult a physician to determine the right dose. This could take a lot of trial and error that may take weeks or months. Always follow the age and weight instructions on the label of the medication.
Stimulants
Stimulants are drugs that increase the levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, assisting people focus their thoughts and avoiding distractions. They have been used to treat ADHD for several decades. They are the most commonly prescribed drugs to treat symptoms of the disorder in both adults and children. best adhd medication for adults and Drug Administration approved several brand-name stimulants. They are available in liquid or tablet form and can be taken as a short-acting medication, an intermediate-acting drug or a long-acting one. People with ADHD often need to experiment with various dosages and medications to find the right ones for them.
In research, these drugs enhance the core ADHD symptoms of impulsivity, hyperarousal, and inattention in 70-80 percent of those who use them. They also help with some related problems, like poor self-control and difficulties staying focused at school or work. In some instances, patients might notice that their symptoms improve immediately. Some individuals may have to take the medication for a few months before they feel its effects. The people who take stimulants need to be aware of not abusing them, and should avoid alcohol, recreational drugs, and nicotine.
The effects of stimulants' side effects tend to happen in the first few days or weeks of starting a new medication or increasing its dose. Most of them go away on their own as the body adjusts to the medication or the dose is adjusted. If they do not go away, talk to your doctor.
Non-stimulant medicines take longer to start working and their effects could last for as long as 24 hours. They are generally easier to take because they don't trigger a rapid rise in blood pressure or heart rate. They are less likely to be abused, and they don't have the same effect on the long-term development of the brains of young people like stimulants do.
They are mainly used in adolescents and children since their brains are still developing. Adults might not consider them as effective, but they are still useful when other treatments fail to work.
These drugs are tightly monitored due to their potential for misuse. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians, and psychologists are qualified to prescribe these medications, and they must follow a lengthy assessment process. They are often combined with a behavioral therapy program which assists people in learning strategies to manage their symptoms. These skills include learning how to set goals, monitor their progress, and find solutions when things go wrong.