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ADHD Medication – Ritalin Ritalin is a stimulant drug that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It improves the way parts of the brain communicate, thereby reducing ADHD symptoms. ADHD medication can have adverse effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, the majority of these are mild and disappear by themselves or over time. Dosage Ritalin increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which are important neurotransmitters that are responsible for regulating motivation actions, cognition, and motivation. It is a psychostimulant which has been used for many years and is considered to be safe when taken in the recommended dosages administered under the supervision by a physician. However there are reports of abuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic doses. Physicians must determine the risk for each patient and monitor their symptoms throughout the treatment. It is also important to educate patients and their families about the dangers and the need for proper disposal of any unused medication. Utilizing a locked medicine cabinet is a good idea, since it prevents children from accessing and consuming doses that are not used. adhd medications for adults is also an excellent idea to inform patients not to share the medication with anyone. This medication can cause suicidal thoughts or feelings, especially in those who suffer from bipolar disorder, depression or have a mental illness history. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure, which can lead to stroke or heart issues. If you experience chest pain, a fast heartbeat or excessive sweating, call your doctor immediately. Also, inform your doctor if you have any family history of heart disease or sudden death or if you've ever suffered from any kind of bleeding or stroke. This medication can affect blood circulation and cause discomfort or numbness in your toes and fingers. It can also make it hard to fall asleep. It is not known if the brand-name version of this medication is more effective than the generic version. However many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version due its safety record and effectiveness. This medication can be abused and should not be prescribed to anyone who is not suffering from ADHD or Narcolepsy. Some people report that this medication works better than others, however this is just anecdotal evidence and hasn't been proved scientifically. Some parents have stated that their children react differently to name-brand versus generic methylphenidate, however this isn't the case for every child. Side effects When starting medications to treat ADHD it takes a bit of time to find the right dosage. A doctor will be able to monitor your child's or your own's bodily reactions and make adjustments until they discover the most effective dosage. These medicines are extremely effective and can have side effects, ranging from irritability to sleep disorders to serious cardiovascular events. Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate. It is an stimulant to the central nervous system. It works by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. These are chemicals that help with control and attention. It also enhances your concentration and reduces restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can cause serious heart issues, including strokes and sudden deaths in patients with certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure and an underlying heart attack and cardiovascular disease. Ritalin as with other stimulant medications can cause weight loss and a decrease in appetite. It can also slightly increase the rate of your child's pulse and blood pressure. This could be a problem in the event of a preexisting heart condition or other heart issues, so your doctor will keep a close check on your blood pressure and heart rate. Other side effects include changes to mood, including depression and anxiety. These effects can affect the behavior of children, which is particularly challenging for children who are still young. In certain instances, it may cause tics or TouretteaEURtm™, which are repetitive movements or sounds such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow growth in teenagers and children. However it is usually temporary and doesn't affect their final height. The medication is available in various forms, but only with a prescription. The medication can be taken as a tablet, which is chewed, dissolved or swallowed. It can also come in the form of a capsule, which is opened and sprinkled on food or liquid. Some people choose to take a short-acting formula that lasts between three and six hours, whereas others take it long-term and need an increased dose. This medication can interact with other drugs such as antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. It may also increase your or your child's risk of developing a potentially fatal side effect, angle closure glaucoma. Interactions Many medications have the potential to interact with other drugs and substances, which could alter their effects. Some interactions can be dangerous, even deadly. Discuss with your doctor the other medications you or your child are taking, including vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter medications. Ritalin may interact with certain antidepressants. This is particularly relevant for those that contain monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors. MAOIs increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. This can cause severe side effects, including suicidal thoughts or seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for individuals with circulatory problems, such as Raynaud’s phenomenon or high pressure. It can also worsen symptoms in people with Tourette syndrome and tics. Certain fMRI studies have shown that an acute dose of methylphenidate within medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks increased activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and the striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation during non-medication and placebo conditions in the same regions. These results support the hypothesis that methylphenidate exerts its effect on behavior by increasing extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine levels, which enhance performance in stop and time discrimination tasks. However, other research on fMRI and behavior suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than increased dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, specifically, are believed to block dopamine reuptake in specific areas like the striatum, but not in other regions, such the frontal lobes. In one study, a combination of stimulants and non-stimulants helped reduce ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some patients, the combination did not work as well as a single drug. Medications are not the only treatment for ADHD, and most people don't require medications to manage the disorder. Training in skills and behavior therapy can help many people learn better coping strategies. Clinical trials haven't proven that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both drugs are chemically the identical, and therefore should both have the same effects on a majority of people. Overdose Methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is a stimulant of the central nervous system. It can improve mood, focus, and concentration when taken as prescribed. It can also be effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. However, like any substance that alters the brain, if misused or used in large doses, overdoses can happen. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, or coma. Being aware of symptoms of an Ritalin overdose is crucial to the prevention of these symptoms and taking steps to seek medical assistance. A Ritalin overdose can be caused by a number of causes. For instance, a person could accidentally take too much because they forget to re-dose their medication. Other substances can interact with the drug to increase its effects, or they could be using it for recreational purposes, without knowing how to dose it. Long-term Ritalin use can also cause tolerance and psychological dependence that can lead to addiction. As a result those with a history of abusing stimulants or other drugs should only use Ritalin under the supervision of a doctor. Call 911 immediately if are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should know the dosage, when it was taken, and if they have consumed any other medications or substances. The emergency response team will be able to more accurately decide on the best way to treat the patient. Typically, they will pump the stomach, which is called gastric lavage, to eliminate any excess drug from the body before it can be taken into the bloodstream. Ritalin can cause seizures. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should be closely monitored by medical professionals. Fluids and antiseizure medications are a way to treat them. Activated charcoal may also be administered to the patient to prevent the drug from circulating into the body. If they are feeling hot, the staff at the hospital can cool them down with fans and mists of water to prevent hyperthermia. If you have been prescribed Ritalin keep it in an area where children can't reach it. You may also ask your pharmacist about a drug take-back program. Don't keep expired or unneeded medication. Instead, mix the unused medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and throw it away.