The intent of medication for attention
deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
is to help normalize brain activity. As brain function is unique
to each individual, it may take some trials before you can
assess which medication for attention deficit
disorder (if any at all) is best for you or your child
Medications used to treat ADD and ADHD fall into three basic
categories: stimulant medications, non-stimulant medications
and mood stabilizers.
Stimulant medications (Ritalin, Dexedrine, Adderall) are
commonly used because they have been shown to be most effective
for most people with ADHD. However, many other medications
may also be prescribed at the discretion of the physician.
The stimulant medications for attention disorder such as
Ritalin, Dexedrine and Adderall are the most commonly prescribed
pharmaceutical treatments simply because statistics have shown
them to be the most effective.
Stimulant medications of attention deficit disorder fall
into two main categories: methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta
and Metadate-ER) and amphetamines (Dexedrine, Dexedrine Spansules
and Adderal). Other drugs that might be prescribed are Methamphetamine
(Desoxyn) and Pemoline (Cylert).
Stimulant medications work by increasing the release or blocking
the reabsorption of dopamine and norepinephrine, two brain
neurotransmitters in the brain. This increases the transmission
between certain neurons. This has the effect of waking up the
dormant or inactive parts of the brain that cause the inattention
symptom in ADD sufferers.
The two different kinds of stimulant medication are rapid
acting and long duration. Ritalin and Dexedrine is the most
commonly prescribed short acting stimulants.
Ritalin is also produced in long-acting form and sold as
Metadate -ER. Other long acting stimulants are Adderall, Cylert
and Pemoline.
Common side effects of stimulant medication for attention
deficit disorder are a bad case of the jitters insomnia and
anxiety. Your doctor may prescribe the medications Clonidine
and Gunafacine to mitigate these symptoms.
There are five main types of non-stimulating drugs that are
used to treat ADD. They include tricyclic antidepressants,
antidepressants, blood pressure medications, mood stabilizers,
serontonin uptake inhibitors and selective noradrenergic reuptake
inhibitors.
Doctors may also be prescribe non-stimulating medications
for attention deficit disorder such as (Wellbutrin), one of
the trycyclic antidepressants such as Trofranil or Pamelor
or one of the newer medications such as Strattera.
Strattera is a selective noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor,
which is meeting with positive reports from both parents and
doctors. Although the compound has a short half-life, the clinical
effect appears to last all day and even into the next morning.
It can be quite helpful to those who cannot tolerate stimulants
due to irritability or weight loss.
Anti-depressant drugs can provide a 24-hour blanketing of
symptoms. They are not associated with the sleep difficulties
often created by the use of stimulants. , However, tricyclic
depressants do cause other symptoms such as dry mouth, blurred
vision, constipation, dizziness and sedation.
The antidepressant Bupropion, also commonly known as Wellbutrin
is also considered to be an effective treatment for ADHD. Like
trycyclic medications Wellbrutin provides a 24-hour coverage
of symptoms. The chemical structure of Buproprion also resembles
that of an amphetamine, except it is not addictive. Its main
two side effects are jitteriness and insomnia. It is not prescribed
to individuals with a history of seizures.
Clonidine and Gunafacine are two blood pressure medications
for attention deficit disorder that are given at night to produce
sedation at night or during the day in smaller doses to cause
an ADD afflicted individual to become calm. Since both of these
drugs affect blood pressure, it is necessary to have it consistently
monitored and get regular EKGs to check the heart rhythm.
Doctors may also prescribe mood stabilizers if the ADD sufferer
is experiencing mood swings. These medications include Lithium
and anticonvulsant (seizure) medications such as valproate
(Depakote) and carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Some see mood swings as a part of the AD/HD. Others see it
as a sign of a second separate disorder. In either case, the
mood stabilizers may be useful to help modulate irritability
and rapid mood shifts.
It is important to remember to patient when trying out a
medication for attention deficit disorder. Most medications
have side effects and do take some time to "kick in." Finding
the right medication can be like being presented with many
different keys. The right medication for Attention Deficit
Disorder will ultimately be the one that opens the door to
freedom from symptoms of the disease.
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