There are many Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medications in the pharmaceutical world. All ADHD medications have their differences and similarities. Two of the most popular and widely-used medications to treat ADHD are Adderall and Concerta. These two medications are very similar in producing the same effect on a person with ADHD; however, these medications are made very differently. These medications today are in high demand because the number of ADHD diagnoses is increasing in people today. As of 2011 11% of children ages 4-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD. Kids who are diagnosed with ADHD will most likely take Adderall, Concerta or any other ADHD medication for the rest of their life.,
ADHD is a very difficult and confusing disorder to deal with when it comes to your children. It is hard to establish is looking out a window or active behavior is just natural for your child, or if your child has a problem. Many drugs can help a child settle down and concentrate better. These drugs should be used for a temporary purpose only; where the goal is to be able to function
It is estimated that a total of 60% of children with ADHD are treated with prescription stimulants, which means, approximately three million children in our country take stimulant medication for problems with focusing. (Lakhan and Kirchgessner, 2012). Strattera, Kapvay, or Intuniv are among some of the non-stimulant medications prescribed for ADHD. Non-stimulant medications do not cause many of the side effects that stimulant mediations do. They also tend to last longer. Most of the studies that are conducted on ADHD medication is done in adults. There is not much to go on for children who take stimulant or non-stimulant medication. These medications can take a toll on a developing brain and there needs to be more studies conducted for parents to make an informed decision about medicating their child. Luckily, there are other options than medication for children with ADHD.
Realize teens will take medicine of another friend not know what it is or the side effects. When ADHD follows a child to high school the risk of overdosing becomes greater. They are now found as a responsible person. Now most teens start or have been playing sports. Not only can these drugs be used to control ADHD they can also be used to improve academic and athletic performances and not even with a prescription. There is a drug called Ritalin and Adderall that is generally used to treat ADHD.
A child in their primary school years may start to have noticeable ADHD characteristics. Children may not mature at the same rate as their classmates and face rejection by their fellow classmates as well as failure in the classroom due to their inability to focus. At this age evaluation for ADHD and diagnosis may occur. Once this happens a child may receive medication and counseling to help cope with the mental disease.
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adulthood. This disorder is characterized by difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior and hyperactivity. In children, the long term effects of psychotropic medications are unknown and lead to a number of precipitating factors. Choosing the right medication, dose and treatment plan should be based on each child’s individual needs and situation. Some of the medications used to manage symptoms of ADHD are Ritalin and Adderall. These two drugs have been around for a while; however, Vyvanse, Strattera, and Concerta are new drugs that have been proven to help with ADHD symptoms.
The most widely used treatments are stimulant medications, with positive results in 70-80% of those who use them. Sometimes the medication prescribed needs to be changed or the dosage needs to be altered to find what alleviates the symptoms the best. Stimulant medications activate the frontal lobes of the brain to help filter out distractions, allowing a person the ability to focus easier. The most prescribed stimulant medications are Concerta, Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine. Another stimulant, Desoxyn, which affects the central nervous system is used to treat ADHD in some people. Unfortunately, Desoxyn is a controlled substance with a high instance of abuse and is only used in a few instances. Non stimulant medications are also found to be effective in treating ADHD. Strattera, a relatively new drug designed to treat ADHD without stimulants or the potential for abuse. It is designed to improve attention span and decrease hyperactivity-impulsivity without causing anxiety. Other non stimulant medications occasionally prescribed are antidepressants, including Prozac, Zoloft, and Select. These are used to combat hyperactivity, anxiety, and problems sleeping. As with all medications, there are possible side effects that come with the positive aspects. Some users experience, headaches, upset stomach, loss of appetite, and trouble sleeping. Usually the side effects are mild and
Treatments can relieve many of the symptoms, but there is no cure for the disorder. Hygiene and diet can be beneficial in reducing the symptoms of a child with ADHD. Parents who have children with this disorder try to reduce the child’s sugar intake and also their intake of processed foods. Nutritional supplements can be a treatment for ADHD based on the assumption that certain nutrients are crucial for normal brain functioning. Macronutrients (amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) have propped as treatment for ADHD (Spetie 278). When a patient is under the care of a physician their weight and vital signs are monitored on a routinely bases in order to insure there are no drastic changes. The most common type of medication used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a “Stimulant”. Stimulants have a calming effect on children with ADHD. Medication reduces children’s hyperactivity and impulsivity which can improve their ability to focus work, learn and live a normal life. Medications for ADHD can come in different forms, such as pills, liquid, skin patches, and capsules. Some of the medications that are widely used are Adderall (amphetamine) approved for children age 3 and older. Another common medication is Concerta (methylphenidate which is long acting. These medications can have different side effects on the patient, so it may take trial and error and close monitoring of the patient to determine what medication is best for the
By year eight socioeconomic status and family structure were the only predictive variables for ADHD treatment. A separate study highlighted the influence that nonclinical factors such as family size may have in mediating the use of pharmacologic therapies for children with ADHD. The most common stimulant medications are methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall). Atomoxetine (Strattera), guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (Kapvay) are non-stimulant drugs approved for the treatment of ADHD. Other medications which may be prescribed off-label include certain antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). ADHD is best managed not just through medications but also with social interactions.
An older study conducted by Dr. Brian Reichow, adjunct professor at Yale University School of Medicine, and his colleagues discovered similar findings, “Methylphenidate, [a psychostimulant medication, was] effective for treating ADHD symptoms in children.”
Medications for ADHD patients do not improve nor cure the disorder they just control it for about eight hours. The largest treatment research conducted was done for a group of 165 children still in pre-school between the ages of three and five year olds (Costa-Dias S45).The study showed most common side effects were that some of
Attention Deficit with hyper activity Disorder commonly known as ADHD is classified as a disruptive behavior disorder usually diagnosed in childhood. ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavior disorder of childhood. It appears to be more common in boys than it is girls. This Disorder is more common in boys than in girls and approximately five in one hundred children are affected (Busing). There are three subtypes: Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, predominantly inattentive, combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive (most children have the combined type of ADHD)(nimh.nih.gov).The age of onset of ADHD is usually in preschool to early elementary school years.
Psychostimulants are a mood enhancing drug. Stimulant drugs are not just used for ADHD they can also be prescribed to people with depression and they are also widely used illicitly. “75% of children that are diagnosed with ADHD are prescribed psychostimulant drugs.” (Prosser, Brenton, and Reid, Robert. 340 - 347.) There needs to be other options besides going straight to stimulant drugs. Unfortunately, it seems that the research has slowed down on ADHD do to the lack of awareness. Psychostimulants have many effects on children and adults, they can cause side effects that have negative and positive effects, ADHD is commonly overdiagnosed and overtreated by doctors , and there are also many other types of treatment options that can be looked
For a child to be diagnosed for ADHD, the child or adult has to have the symptoms for 6 or more months before the doctor can diagnose the child or adult.Certain medicines can help people with ADHD by improving their focus and attention and reducing their impulsiveness and hyperactivity. Some of the medications are Adderall, Adderall XR, Concerta, DAytrana, Desoxyn, Dexedrine, Dextrostat, Focalin, Focalin XR, Metadate ER, Metadate CD, Methylin, Ritalin, Ritalin SR, Ritalin LA, Strattera, amd Vyvanse.
Those children that are diagnosed with ADHD are usually prescribed psycho-stimulant medications, such as ‘methylphenidate’, otherwise known as ‘Ritalin’, as the primary method of treatment. (Chandler, 2010).