How Do I Explain ADHD Medication Ritalin To A 5-Year-Old
Wiki Article
ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is used to treat ADHD. It is used to treat it. It works by improving brain communication, which can reduce ADHD.
ADHD medication can have adverse effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. However, the majority of these are minor and disappear on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin increases levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant that has been used for a long time and is believed to be safe when taken in the recommended dosages administered under the supervision of a physician.
However, there are reports of abuse of this drug and reports of addiction even at therapeutic doses. Physicians must determine the risk of each patient and monitor their symptoms throughout the treatment. It is also essential to educate the patient and their family members about the dangers and the necessity of proper disposal of any unneeded medication. Utilizing a locked medicine cabinet is ideal since it prevents children from accessing and taking doses that are not needed. It is also a good idea to advise patients not to share the medication with anyone.
This medication can trigger suicidal thoughts, or actions, especially in people who are depressed, bipolar, or have an history of mental illness. Talk with your doctor right immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. This medication can also cause an increase in blood pressure which could lead to strokes or heart issues. Get your doctor's attention immediately if you have a high heart rate, chest pain, or sweating. Also tell your doctor if you have any family history of heart disease or sudden death or if you've ever had any type of bleeding or stroke. This medication can cause numbness or discomfort in your toes or fingers. It can also make sleep difficult.
It is not known if the brand-name version is more effective than its generic counterpart. However, many doctors prefer to use the brand-name version due to its history of safety and effectiveness. It is important to note that this medication could be abused and should never be administered to a person who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some people claim that this medication is more effective than other. However it is merely anecdotal evidence, and is not yet scientifically verified. Some parents have reported that their children respond differently to generic versus name-brand methylphenidate. However, this isn't the case for all children.
Side effects
It takes time to determine the appropriate dose when you start treatment for ADHD. A doctor will be able to monitor the body reactions of your child or you and make adjustments in order to find the most effective treatment. These medicines are extremely effective and can have side effects, from irritability and sleep problems to severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate. It is a stimulant for 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 improves your concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin could cause serious heart issues, including stroke and sudden deaths in those who suffer from certain medical conditions. This includes heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure as well as an underlying cardiac arrest or cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can result in a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It can also slightly increase the rate of your child's pulse and blood pressure. If you have heart issues or a pre-existing condition, your doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure.
Other side effects include anxiety and depression. These effects can affect children's behavior, which is particularly challenging for children who are still young. In certain instances it can cause symptoms such as tics or TouretteaEUR(tm)s syndrome, which is repetitive actions and sounds like eye blinking or clearing the throat. It can also slow growth in children and teenagers. This is usually temporary, and doesn't alter their height at the end of the day.
There are many kinds of this medication that are available on prescription only. The medication can be taken as a tablet, which is chewed, dissolved or swallowed. It may also be available in the form of a capsule, that is opened and sprinkled on liquid or food items. Some people use a short-acting formula that lasts for about three to six hours, whereas others take it long-term and need an increased dose.
This medication can interact with other medications, such as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) and antidepressants. This medication may also increase the risk of angle closure glaucoma, a potentially deadly adverse side consequence.
Interactions
Many medications interact with other drugs or substances. This can change their effects. Certain interactions could be harmful and even life-threatening. Tell your doctor what other medications you or your child are taking, including vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Ritalin can interact with other antidepressants. This is particularly relevant for those that contain monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. This can cause serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts, seizures, actions, or hallucinations. Ritalin is not recommended for those with circulatory problems like Raynaud's phenomenon or high blood pressure. It can also worsen symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in those who suffer from these conditions.
Certain fMRI studies have shown that an acute dose of methylphenidate in medication responders during stop and time discrimination tasks increased activation in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and striatum 25. These changes were accompanied by a normalization of underactivation when compared to non-medication and placebo conditions in the same regions.
These results support the idea that methylphenidate elicits its behavioral effect by increasing extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine levels, which enhance performance in stop and time-discrimination tasks. However, additional research on fMRI and behavior suggest that the mechanism is more complex than increased dopamine and norepinephrine. Particularly, psychostimulants are believed to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine in some areas, such as the striatum, but not in other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mix of stimulants and non-stimulants reduced ADHD symptoms in children with moderate to severe cases. In some patients however, the combination did not perform as effectively as one medication. There is no one-stop treatment for ADHD and the majority of people do not require them to live with the condition. Skills training and behavior therapy can help a lot of people develop more effective strategies to cope with the disorder.
Clinical trials haven't proved that the brand name Ritalin is superior to the generic version. Both drugs are chemically same, so they should both have the same effects on a majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate (also called Ritalin) is a stimulant for the central more info nervous system. It can improve mood, focus, and concentration when prescribed. It is also effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. It is possible to overdose with any substance that alters brain function. This can result in stroke, heart attack, or even coma. Being aware of symptoms of an Ritalin overdose is crucial to stopping these symptoms and taking the appropriate steps to seek medical assistance.
A Ritalin Overdose can occur in a variety of ways. Someone may accidentally consume too many pills since they did not remember to redose their medication. Other substances can interact with the drug to increase its effects, or they may be using it for recreational purposes, and not know how to dose it. Long-term Ritalin use can also result in tolerance and a psychological dependency that can lead addiction. Ritalin is not recommended by those with an addiction history.
Contact 911 immediately if you are experiencing an overdose of Ritalin. First responders should know the dose, the time it was taken and if they've taken any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will then be able to determine how to treat the patient. They usually use the stomach pump (a procedure referred to as gastriclavage) to remove any excess drugs from the body before they are absorbed in the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures, so anyone experiencing these symptoms should be carefully monitored by a medical professional. Fluids and antiseizure medication can be used to treat seizures. In addition, the person could be treated with activated charcoal to prevent any more of the drug from entering the body. The hospital staff can cool the patient with fans or mists of cool water if they feel hot.
If you're prescribed Ritalin, make sure to store it in a safe location where children cannot reach it. You can also inquire with your pharmacist for a take-back program. Also, don't keep any unused or expired medication. Instead, mix the unused medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and throw it away.