ADHD Medication - The Difference Between Stimulant and Non Prescription ADHD Medication
ADHD medication can help improve your child's or your own ability to concentrate, manage impulses and follow through with tasks. However, it's not a cure-all.
Stimulants enhance the communication between nerves in the brain, which reduces impulsiveness and excessive activity. These include short-acting stimulants which require multiple times a day. Long-acting stimulants that operate up to 12 hours a day.
adhd medication names
For many people with ADHD stimulant medications are the first option for treatment. These drugs boost dopamine levels in the brain, which improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. The most effective effects of the drugs occur when they are taken regularly. However, they can also trigger side effects, such as difficulty sleeping, agitation, and rapid heart rate. In addition, they may be habit-forming. Because of this, it's important to work closely with your doctor when starting or stopping medication, and to adhere to their prescriptions for dosage, frequency and usage.
Long-acting stimulant medications as well as short-acting stimulant drugs are both available. The short-acting stimulants have a peak effect within a few hours and should be taken twice a day. Meanwhile, the long-acting drugs such as Ritalin (methylphenidate), Concerta(methylphenidate), Adderall(amphetamine), and Vyvanse(lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) - last up to eight hours. Long-acting medications can decrease the need for more doses throughout the day. However it can be difficult to remember.
You'll need an prescription for stimulants and you will be subjected to strict regulations when you decide to change doctors or refill your prescription. There are other options that could offer similar benefits, but without the risk of abuse or addiction. These include:
Nonstimulant ADHD medications take longer to kick in, and you might not experience the full benefits until you've been taking them regularly for three to four weeks. These medications could be the right choice for you if you're struggling to get motivated, are prone to adverse effects, or are unable to take stimulants due a family history or addiction.
Strattera, Kapvay and Qelbree all increase the levels of norepinephrine in your brain. This helps increase concentration and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. These drugs are prescribed "off-label" which means that they are not FDA approved for ADHD. However they have been utilized to treat other disorders for a long time and have proven to be effective in treating ADHD symptoms.
Vyvamind, a natural substitute for prescription ADHD medication that blends cognitive support ingredients, is an excellent alternative. It delivers real-world improvements in mental agility and endurance. It's designed to combat the mental fatigue which can be a hindrance for people suffering from ADHD and to improve the resilience of people to stress, which are crucial aspects of managing ADHD symptoms.
Antidepressants
While stimulants are the first-choice ADHD medication for adults, they're not effective or safe for everyone. They also have several side effects, including decreased appetite, headaches, and sleeplessness. Some doctors prescribe non-stimulant ADHD medication for these reasons. These drugs, which enhance focus and concentration are different from stimulants, and don't have the same side effects.
Among the medications in this category are atomoxetine bupropion and venlafaxine. They boost the levels of chemical messengers, norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, much as stimulants. The distinction is that they perform this in a particular brain region, that is involved in the process of focusing. The antidepressants can be prescribed to treat depression, anxiety and ADHD.
The FDA hasn't yet officially approved them for this purpose, but some doctors prescribe them as an off-label treatment option for ADHD. They are typically prescribed after other treatments such as diet and exercise have failed. Some experts believe that antidepressants can help with ADHD by improving mood and reducing anxiety and irritability. These could affect how a person concentrates.
They also have a lower risk of abuse and do not affect growth or weight gain. They can also help reduce tics such as eye blinking and throat clearing, but they could make them more visible. They might increase heart rate, which can be dangerous for people who have heart issues or an history of heart problems.
Research shows that combining stimulants and these medications can make them both more efficient than on their own. It's important to talk to an experienced doctor before attempting this combination.
Children younger than 12 years old age are not recommended to consume stimulants. They can cause long-term changes to the brains of teens and young children, which could be bad for their mental health later on in life. They may also cause weight loss and decrease appetite, and they may increase the risk of seizures for some children.
It's not common but some children with severe ADHD do not respond well to stimulant drugs. They may require an alternative treatment, such as atomoxetine or Guanfacine AXR.
Other medicines
Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed by doctors for ADHD are often the first drugs prescribed. These medications can improve focus and memory however they can cause adverse effects like heart palpitations, headaches and stomachaches. This is why many people with ADHD seek alternatives to stimulants for treatment of their symptoms. Some of these options include natural supplements, diet modifications and cognitive behavioral therapy.
While some holistic methods can help with ADHD symptoms, they might not be effective for everyone. These treatments are most successful when paired with conventional treatment methods, such as psychotherapy. Therapists, for instance can help patients learn how to manage their symptoms. They can also develop a plan of action.
Children suffering from ADHD are treated with nonstimulant ADHD medication, including viloxazine, guanfacine, and atomoxetine (brand name Strattera, to be discontinued in 2022). Atomoxetine reduces symptoms by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine, which is a neurotransmitter that controls behavior1. Viloxazine as well as Guanfacine with a long-acting also alpha agonists designed to treat high pressure. These drugs can calm tics and help with aggression and sleep, however they're not as effective at improving concentration.
These medications have a slower time to start than stimulants, but they may be beneficial to people who are unable to perceive the benefits of stimulants. They are also less likely to cause heart issues, which can be a serious issue for some children suffering from ADHD.
Another option to supplement stimulants is L-tyrosine, an amino acid that occurs naturally that improves the health of the brain by increasing levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. The supplement is available in health food stores, but it is crucial to discuss its use with a doctor prior to taking it. Melatonin is also effective for treating sleep disorders and insomnia associated with ADHD. It is available as a sleep aid over-the-counter and has shown to be effective in treating some people with ADHD. These natural ADHD treatments are worth a shot for those who have symptoms but prefer not to take prescription medication.
Other treatment options
If your stimulant medication isn't working or the side effects of your stimulant medication are too severe, your doctor might recommend a different drug. Non-stimulant medications have less potential for addiction or abuse, but also may not be as effective at reducing ADHD symptoms, particularly in young children.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) was the first nonstimulant medication to be approved in treating ADHD and is often prescribed as the first-line treatment. It works by increasing the amount of a neurotransmitter in your brain, called norepinephrine which assists nerves in better transmitting messages between brain cells. It also reduces agitation fatigue and sleep issues but it also has some negative consequences, including a decreased appetite, stomachaches and sleep problems. In rare instances, atomoxetine can cause suicidal thoughts. Long-acting guanfacine (Intuniv) is another alternative, and it boosts the amount of norepinephrine in your body by blocking a mechanism that removes it. It is used to treat ADHD symptoms, but has also been proven to help with anxiety, so it can be prescribed to children with both disorders. It can raise heart rate and blood pressure and therefore it is recommended that you have your child's blood analyzed.
Certain parents opt for nonstimulant medicines to reduce the side effects of stimulant drugs, such as tics, sleep problems, and issues with appetite. A variety of antidepressants are prescribed to treat ADHD and are commonly known as alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, also known as SNRIs. medication for adhd alter norepinephrine and dopamine levels in your brain, which may improve your mood and focus, and aid in controlling your impulses. These drugs can be used as a single dose or together with stimulants.
Behavioral therapy is considered an essential aspect of treatment for those suffering from ADHD and can help you or your child learn strategies to manage stress and reduce the effects of ADHD symptoms. Ginkgo biloba and passionflower are natural products that have been proven to help calm hyperactivity. However, it is important to consult your doctor before taking any supplements.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine is an expression used to describe treatments that fall outside the norm of Western medicine. These treatments include practices that focus on the mind like meditation, body-based approaches like massage, as well as natural products like nutritional supplements. Alternative treatments are being evaluated to determine their effectiveness in helping manage ADHD. However further research is needed before they are recommended as the primary treatment method.