Add ADHD Medications to Your Treatment Plan
Stimulant drugs can cause side effects such as nausea or tics, or even minor growth delays. They can also affect the heart rate and blood pressure.
It's important to work with an expert to determine the right dose. This could require a period of trial and error that may last for weeks or even months. Always follow Visit Homepage on the label of the medication for weight and age.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the levels of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They aid people in focusing on their thought processes and block out distracting stimuli. They have been used to treat ADHD for several decades. They are the most commonly prescribed medications to manage symptoms of the disorder for both adults and children. The Food and Drug Administration approved numerous brand-name stimulants. They are available in tablet or liquid form and can be used as a short-acting drug, an intermediate-acting drug or a long-acting drug. People with ADHD might need to test different dosages and medications before settling on the one that is right for them.
In research, these drugs improve the core ADHD symptoms of impulsivity, hyperarousal, and inattention in 70 to 80% of people who take these medicines. They also help with some related issues, such as poor self-control and trouble staying on task at work or at school. In some cases the symptoms could improve quickly. Others may need to take the medicine for several weeks before they feel the effects. Anyone who takes stimulants should be cautious not to abuse them and stay clear of the use of alcohol, recreational drugs, and nicotine.
In the initial weeks or days following the start of an entirely new medication or increasing its dosage stimulants can cause side effects. The majority of them disappear by themselves as the body adjusts to the medication or as the dosage is adjusted. If they do not go away, talk to your doctor.
Non-stimulant medicines require longer to work and their effects can last for up to 24 hours. They are more convenient to take since they don't cause a rapid increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They are less likely to be used for abuse and don't have the same effect on the long-term brain development of children's brains like stimulants do.
They are mainly used in adolescents and children since their brains are still developing. They're not as effective for adults however, they can be helpful when other treatments fail to aid.
These medicines are tightly controlled due to their potential for abuse. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and paediatricians are qualified to prescribe these medications, and they have to undergo a lengthy evaluation process. They are often combined with a behavioral therapy program, which helps people learn strategies to manage their symptoms. These skills include learning how to set goals, track progress, and fix problems when things go wrong.