ADHD Medication List
Finding the right medication to treat ADHD can be a trial and error process. Talk to your doctor about any adverse effects that bother you and ask if it is possible to modify the dosage or try a different drug.
Certain individuals may be prescribed long acting stimulants, such as atomoxetine or guanfacine. These drugs are slowly absorbed into the bloodstream and lower the risk of rebound effects and high blood pressure.
Methamphetamine
This medication is used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It boosts levels of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain and on nerves. This improves focus, decreases restlessness and impulsiveness and helps people stay awake. It also suppresses appetite in certain people. Methamphetamine belongs to the class of central nervous stimulants. It is only available with a doctor's prescription.
Methamphetamine abuse can lead to addiction and severe adverse side effects. The drug can cause damage to the heart, brain, and kidneys. It can also increase the possibility of having a stroke, seizures, and high blood pressure. Methamphetamine users can develop tolerance to the drug. This means that they have to take increasing amounts of it to experience its effects. It can also trigger psychological problems, including depression and paranoid thinking.
Methamphetamine is available in three forms that are smoked, swallowed or injectable. Its effects are felt within three to five minutes if the drug is smoked or snorted. It takes between 15 and 20 minutes when swallowed or injection. Snorting methamphetamine can give you the euphoria or "rush" feeling quicker than smoking. It is not uncommon to combine the use of methamphetamine with other drugs, including alcohol and other illegal substances. These mixtures can cause a toxic or overdose effect that can be fatal.
Regular methamphetamine consumption can cause severe dental problems such as chronic fatigue skin picks, infections and skin rashes, as well as a range of other health problems including an increased risk of hepatitis and HIV, which are transmitted through sexual contact and by sharing needles. It can also make men less able to get or keep an erection, and increases the risk that they suffer from rough or unprotected sex which can cause bleeding and increases the risk of spreading or catching an STD.
Methamphetamine consumption during pregnancy can cause abnormal fetal growth or a life-threatening rupture of the placenta. It is important to talk with your physician about this prior to deciding to become pregnant. It may also pass into breast milk and cause harm to a nursing baby. It is also illegal to sell or distribute any methamphetamine to anyone under the age of 18.
A doctor may prescribe medication to help you overcome meth addiction or ADHD treatment. These medications can lessen or prevent withdrawal symptoms and can also help with underlying causes. They can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments including behavioral therapy.
If you're struggling with meth addiction, seeking professional help is the most effective option to overcome it. A comprehensive program will include individual and family counseling as along with cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as other methods to help heal from your addiction. A treatment program should also tackle any mental illness or co-occurring disorders that contribute to your addiction. Behavioral therapy can help you develop healthier ways to manage stress and triggers that lead to your addiction. It can also teach you how to manage your relationship with drugs. With the right help, you can live a life free of addiction.
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is a stimulant that enhances the activity of brain regions that regulate attention and behavior. It is believed to increase the levels of brain chemicals such as dopamine and noradrenaline. Methylphenidate can only be obtained by prescription. It may be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments for ADHD and narcolepsy. The medication has been proven to be effective in reducing symptoms in patients suffering from both conditions, especially when combined with nonpharmacologic therapies (such as social skills training for ADHD and sleep hygiene for narcolepsy).
Methylphenidate comes in a variety of forms that include tablets, capsules chewable tablets, extended-release tablets (Ritalin IR, Adhansia XR), a liquid medicine and a long acting orally disintegrating tablet. (Cotempla XR ODT or Quillichew). It is taken orally, with or without food. Depending on the type of methylphenidate you are taking, it is important to follow here the instructions of your doctor exactly. Do not crush or break extended-release capsules. Swallow them whole. Measure liquid medicines with an instrument that is specially designed for measuring and not a spoon. Before chewing tablets, they should not be cheated. Allow the extended-release tablets and orally disintegrating tablets to dissolve in your mouth before swallowing. It is not recommended to drink alcohol-based drinks while taking the long-acting orally disintegrating tablet or ER chewable tablet.
It is unclear whether methylphenidate is able to be passed through breast milk. Therefore it is crucial that you tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Methylphenidate can increase the risk of seizures in some people. Inform your doctor whether you have a previous history of seizures or mental health problems, such as Tourette's syndrome or bipolar disorder. Methylphenidate can cause mental health issues to worsen or develop in some adolescents or children. These symptoms can include manic or psychotic behavior. It can also exacerbate tics or depression in some people.
Methylphenidate can interact with some other medications, including antidepressants and some anticholinergic medications and decrease the effectiveness of anticholinergics. It also increases blood pressure and heart rate in some people.
Talk to your doctor in the event that you are taking methylphenidate with other medication. This includes medications for anxiety depression, depression, herbal treatments and vitamins. Tell your doctor if your family history includes of sudden deaths, heart problems or high blood pressure.
Do not take methylphenidate in conjunction with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as isocarboxazid or linezolid, blue rasagiline, selegiline or tranylcypromine. MAOIs may increase the level of methylphenidate in your body, causing dangerous adverse reactions. Also inform your doctor if you are allergic to tartrazine or aspirin dye (a yellow dye that is found in many processed foods and medicines when you take Adhansia XR), or in case you suffer from any other allergies.