Become an educated patient and then discuss your options and optimization strategy with your doctor. What this means: Your doctor may not know enough about ADHD or its first-line treatment, stimulant medication. That puts the burden of knowledge on you — the patient or the parent. Stimulant medication is the most recommended form of ADHD treatment for one simple reason: studies show it to be most effective. Barkley, Ph. The key neurotransmitters deficient in ADHD brains are norepinephrine and dopamine.
William Dodson. The amphetamine-based stimulants include Adderall , Vyvanse , and Evekeo. Try the other medication. Most people do well on a methylphenidate or an amphetamine, but not both. Dodson starts by trying both types with each patient, to ensure the patient is getting the best outcome possible with ADHD medication. He also recommends long-acting formulations of stimulants rather than short-acting ones.
For most patients, the long-acting formulations only require taking one pill a day, provide smoother, more consistent coverage throughout the day, and wear off more gradually.
No test can predict what dose of what medication will give a patient the optimal level of benefits with no side effects. What worked best for your brother could be ineffective for you, and vice versa. Genetic testing to measure the alleles that metabolize a medication cannot predict the dose a person will need. Think about ADHD medications as you would eyeglasses. Two people cannot exchange glasses because each prescription is customized to the individual and his unique vision challenges.
The notion of high-dose prescription glasses versus low-dose prescription glasses is pretty nonsensical. The current recommendation is that you take medication wherever there is impairment from ADHD. Dopamine is involved in the reinforcement of rewarding behaviors. Norepinephrine affects blood vessels, blood pressure and heart rate, blood sugar, and breathing. People who use prescription stimulants report feeling a "rush" euphoria along with the following:. At high doses, prescription stimulants can lead to a dangerously high body temperature, an irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and seizures.
Repeated misuse of prescription stimulants, even within a short period, can cause psychosis, anger, or paranoia. If the drug is injected, it is important to note that sharing drug injection equipment and having impaired judgment from drug misuse can increase the risk of contracting infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.
Some people may be concerned about later substance misuse in children and teens who've been prescribed stimulant drugs to treat ADHD. Studies so far have not shown a difference in later substance use in young people with ADHD treated with prescription stimulants compared with those who didn't receive such treatment.
This suggests that treatment with ADHD medication does not positively or negatively affect a person's risk of developing problem use.
Yes, a person can overdose on prescription stimulants. An overdose occurs when the person uses enough of the drug to produce a life-threatening reaction or death read more on our Intentional vs. Unintentional Overdose Deaths webpage. When people overdose on a prescription stimulant, they most commonly experience several different symptoms, including restlessness, tremors, overactive reflexes, rapid breathing, confusion, aggression, hallucinations, panic states, abnormally increased fever, muscle pains and weakness.
They also may have heart problems, including an irregular heartbeat leading to a heart attack, nerve problems that can lead to a seizure, abnormally high or low blood pressure, and circulation failure. Stomach issues may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. In addition, an overdose can result in convulsions, coma, and fatal poisoning. Because prescription stimulant overdose often leads to a heart attack or seizure, the most important step to take is to call so a person who has overdosed can receive immediate medical attention.
First responders and emergency room doctors try to treat the overdose with the intent of restoring blood flow to the heart and stopping the seizure with care or with medications if necessary.
Start small. Keep track of any side effects and monitor how well the medication is working to reduce symptoms. Taper off slowly. If you or your child wants to stop taking medication, call the doctor for guidance on gradually decreasing the dose. Abruptly stopping medication can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, depression, and headaches.
Encourage your child to come to you with any medication-related concerns so you can work together to solve the problem or find another treatment option. A child still needs to behave like a child. Here is a list of questions you should ask when your child begins medication therapy, changes dosage, or starts taking a different medication:. Heininger and Sharon K. Most children and adults taking medication for ADHD will experience at least a few side effects.
Sometimes, side effects go away after the first few weeks on the medication. You may also be able to eliminate or reduce unpleasant side effects with a few simple strategies. Loss of appetite. To deal with reduced appetite, eat healthy snacks throughout the day and push dinner to a later time when the medication has worn off.
If getting to sleep is a problem, try taking the stimulant earlier in the day. If you or your child is taking an extended-release stimulant, you can also try switching to the short-acting form. Also avoid caffeinated beverages, especially in the afternoon or evening. Stomach upset or headaches. Mood changes. If medication is causing irritability, depression, agitation, or other emotional side effects, try lowering the dose.
Moodiness may also be caused by the rebound effect, in which case it may help to overlap the doses or switch to an extended-release medication. If troublesome side effects persist despite your best efforts to manage them, talk to your doctor about adjusting the dose or trying a different drug.
Many people respond better to the long-acting or extended release formulations of ADHD medication, which build gradually in the bloodstream and then wear off slowly. This minimizes the ups and downs caused by fluctuating medication levels and causes less of a rebound effect, where symptoms return, often worse than before, as the drug wears off.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders. American Psychiatric Association. Kemper, A. Wolraich, M. Pediatrics, 4. Huang, H. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 28 2 , — Adler, L. Management of ADHD in adults. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 63 Suppl 12, 29— Volkow, N.
JAMA, 10 , — This holiday season alone, millions of people will turn to HelpGuide for free mental health guidance and support. So many people rely on us in their most difficult moments. Can we rely on you? All gifts made before December 31 will be doubled. Cookie Policy. What you need to know, including common side effects and tips for taking them responsibly. Stimulant medications for ADHD Stimulants are the most common type of medication prescribed for attention deficit disorder.
Short-acting vs. Common side effects of stimulants include: Feeling restless and jittery Difficulty sleeping Loss of appetite Headaches Upset stomach. Irritability, mood swings Depression Dizziness Racing heartbeat Tics. Any type of heart defect or disease High blood pressure Hyperthyroidism. Glaucoma High levels of anxiety A history of drug abuse. Strattera Suicide Risk in Children Strattera may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some people, especially children and younger adults who have bipolar disorder or depression in addition to ADHD.
Self-calming techniques, deep breathing, and yoga can often help children with ADHD. Has the school tried to teach my child to be more attentive and less active?
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