ADHD:Which is the best cure?
Posted 04-13-2008 at 08:40 PM by ladypam
Before, whenever your child was overly active, you would just put it down on being an active child and not be concerned over it. Unfortunately, at present, this may be a sign of having attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or more commonly known as ADHD. ADHD is a developmental disorder that deals with the neurological behavior of the person. It can be described as having repeated episodes of hyperactivity and/or inattention, including being impulsive, easily distracted and forgetful. Those afflicted with ADHD may also have a difficulty in focusing and concentrating, difficulty in remembering short term memories, procrastination, problems in organization, problems with planning, as well as habitual tardiness.
ADHD can be classified into 3 subtypes. These are predominantly inattentive or ADD, predominantly hyperactive, ADHD, and a combination of these two conditions. Both are seen to be caused by various environmental conditions as well as genetics. It is seen that it may be the dopamine transporters that are affected.
Fortunately, this disorder can be treated effectively, with a lot of proven results, with the use of stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate, mixed amphetamine salts, and dextroamphetamine which is more commonly known as Adderall. These can be prescribed by your health provider, physician, psychiatrist, or neurologist as soon as your child is found to be positive with ADHD. But you would wonder how a stimulant can cure someone who is already overly stimulated or active. The reason lies in the interplay of chemical substances in the brain or central nervous system wherein the stimulant drug increases dopamine in the brain through inhibiting its uptake. Here are some commonly used medications, approved by the FDA and endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association
Atomoxetine
The only FDA approved drug that is available without prescription, Atomoxetine is indicated for the treatment of ADHD although not found to be as effective as stimulants. It is also found to produce liver damage, cause suicidal tendencies, increase heart rate, bring down body weight and appetite, as well cause nausea.
Adderall
An amphetamine based medication, Adderall contains about 28% levoamphetamine and 72% dextroamphetamine. These two substances have the same chemical content but differ in chemical structure, each being the mirror image of the other and in metabolism. Levoamphetamine speeds up the reaction time as well give longer effect as compared to pure dextroamphetamines. On the other hand, it is the dextroamphetamine that is preferred by the brain so producing more effect that the levoamphetamine. Taking Adderall can have serious adverse effects if taken with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors in the blood stream. Do not attempt to take Adderall if this MAOI is still in the blood. Wait for it to clear first.
Side effects of Adderall include dizziness, insomnia, diarrhea, weight loss, dry mouth, impotence. It may also include more serious effects like fainting, restlessness, hallucinations and an increase in blood pressure.
Dexedrine
Dexedrine is composed of only one component, dextroamphetamine as opposed to Adderall which has two. It is also a stimulant whose properties emulate those by methamphetamine instead of amphetamines. It can cause several side effects such as tachycardia, palpitations, an increase in blood pressure, diarrhea, dryness of the mouth, constipation, impotence and other changes in libido. It can also cause withdrawal symptoms to occur since it can induce dependency on this medication.
Desoxyn
Another amphetamine based stimulant is Desoxyn, which is a brand name for dextromethamphetamine. It is also called desoxyephedrine where its name was coined. Aside from ADHD, Desoxyn is also prescribed for obesity and narcolepsy. This medication is thought to have a longer effectiveness period and strength as compared to other amphetamine based medication. Because of this potency, it is not used as a first line medication but a second line, to be used when the first line did not successfully treat the condition. It is thought that the extra group of methyl in its structure is responsible for making it more effective.
Desoxyn is not prescribed to people with faulty cardiovascular conditions, those using MAOIs, and those with a medical history of having psychotic episodes that may just be exacerbated by the stimulant.
Methylphenidate
Another stimulant medication for ADHD, methylphenidate has several brand names. It includes Ritalina, Rilatine, Methylin, Attenta, Rubifen, Penid, and Metadate CD. It is also used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome and narcolepsy. This medication is seen to reduce impulsive behavior which increases the focus on work and several tasks. In comparison with other stimulant medications, it produces lesser side effects and is actually easily tolerated by patients. It acts on dopamine receptors to increase the inhibition of uptake of dopamine, therefore having more of them in the synaptic gap. It has been also seen to affect serotonin levels in the brain.
Focalin
With a brand name Focalin, Dexmethlyphenidate is found to have more chances for treatment of ADHD as compared to methylphenidate due to its different chemical structure. It works on increasing the concentration of the patient on trivial tasks therefore able to control their behavior. It produces withdrawal symptoms when suddenly stopped. Common side effects include nausea, insomnia, nervousness, headache, weight loss, and loss of appetite.
Concerta
This medication is composed of methylphenidate but uses osmotic pressure to be able to sustain the release of this medication. Concerta tables are coated capsules with a rigid membrane that is semi permeable. This membrane is responsible for the longer time to finish the medication. When wet with water, it further increases in size and increases osmotic pressure which will make the expulsion of methylphenidate a lot easier. Side effects are basically the same as with other methyphenidates.
Daytrana
With the same amount of methylphenidate, Daytrana is a transdermal patch that is placed on the skin to allow the diffusion of the medication through the epidermis and dermis to reach the blood stream. Daytrana is extremely accessible, easily attached and removed. Effects to this medication can be felt for as low as two hours after application.
Other medications
Aside from these medications, there are also other drugs that are found to treat ADHD although does not meet the approval standards of the FDA. Examples of these medications are amantadine, amineptine, Benzphetamine, Bupropion, Clonidine, Pernoline, Reboxetine, Selegiline and Modafinil. Other alternative medicines that have been seen to alleviate symptoms of ADHD are gingko biloba, st. john’s wort, and evening primrose oil. Other vitamins and minerals have also been found to have produce a positive reaction against ADHD.
ADHD is a disorder that has a lot of possibilities for treatment. It will now all depend on how the body takes it and how these medications act on it.
ADHD can be classified into 3 subtypes. These are predominantly inattentive or ADD, predominantly hyperactive, ADHD, and a combination of these two conditions. Both are seen to be caused by various environmental conditions as well as genetics. It is seen that it may be the dopamine transporters that are affected.
Fortunately, this disorder can be treated effectively, with a lot of proven results, with the use of stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate, mixed amphetamine salts, and dextroamphetamine which is more commonly known as Adderall. These can be prescribed by your health provider, physician, psychiatrist, or neurologist as soon as your child is found to be positive with ADHD. But you would wonder how a stimulant can cure someone who is already overly stimulated or active. The reason lies in the interplay of chemical substances in the brain or central nervous system wherein the stimulant drug increases dopamine in the brain through inhibiting its uptake. Here are some commonly used medications, approved by the FDA and endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association
Atomoxetine
The only FDA approved drug that is available without prescription, Atomoxetine is indicated for the treatment of ADHD although not found to be as effective as stimulants. It is also found to produce liver damage, cause suicidal tendencies, increase heart rate, bring down body weight and appetite, as well cause nausea.
Adderall
An amphetamine based medication, Adderall contains about 28% levoamphetamine and 72% dextroamphetamine. These two substances have the same chemical content but differ in chemical structure, each being the mirror image of the other and in metabolism. Levoamphetamine speeds up the reaction time as well give longer effect as compared to pure dextroamphetamines. On the other hand, it is the dextroamphetamine that is preferred by the brain so producing more effect that the levoamphetamine. Taking Adderall can have serious adverse effects if taken with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors in the blood stream. Do not attempt to take Adderall if this MAOI is still in the blood. Wait for it to clear first.
Side effects of Adderall include dizziness, insomnia, diarrhea, weight loss, dry mouth, impotence. It may also include more serious effects like fainting, restlessness, hallucinations and an increase in blood pressure.
Dexedrine
Dexedrine is composed of only one component, dextroamphetamine as opposed to Adderall which has two. It is also a stimulant whose properties emulate those by methamphetamine instead of amphetamines. It can cause several side effects such as tachycardia, palpitations, an increase in blood pressure, diarrhea, dryness of the mouth, constipation, impotence and other changes in libido. It can also cause withdrawal symptoms to occur since it can induce dependency on this medication.
Desoxyn
Another amphetamine based stimulant is Desoxyn, which is a brand name for dextromethamphetamine. It is also called desoxyephedrine where its name was coined. Aside from ADHD, Desoxyn is also prescribed for obesity and narcolepsy. This medication is thought to have a longer effectiveness period and strength as compared to other amphetamine based medication. Because of this potency, it is not used as a first line medication but a second line, to be used when the first line did not successfully treat the condition. It is thought that the extra group of methyl in its structure is responsible for making it more effective.
Desoxyn is not prescribed to people with faulty cardiovascular conditions, those using MAOIs, and those with a medical history of having psychotic episodes that may just be exacerbated by the stimulant.
Methylphenidate
Another stimulant medication for ADHD, methylphenidate has several brand names. It includes Ritalina, Rilatine, Methylin, Attenta, Rubifen, Penid, and Metadate CD. It is also used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome and narcolepsy. This medication is seen to reduce impulsive behavior which increases the focus on work and several tasks. In comparison with other stimulant medications, it produces lesser side effects and is actually easily tolerated by patients. It acts on dopamine receptors to increase the inhibition of uptake of dopamine, therefore having more of them in the synaptic gap. It has been also seen to affect serotonin levels in the brain.
Focalin
With a brand name Focalin, Dexmethlyphenidate is found to have more chances for treatment of ADHD as compared to methylphenidate due to its different chemical structure. It works on increasing the concentration of the patient on trivial tasks therefore able to control their behavior. It produces withdrawal symptoms when suddenly stopped. Common side effects include nausea, insomnia, nervousness, headache, weight loss, and loss of appetite.
Concerta
This medication is composed of methylphenidate but uses osmotic pressure to be able to sustain the release of this medication. Concerta tables are coated capsules with a rigid membrane that is semi permeable. This membrane is responsible for the longer time to finish the medication. When wet with water, it further increases in size and increases osmotic pressure which will make the expulsion of methylphenidate a lot easier. Side effects are basically the same as with other methyphenidates.
Daytrana
With the same amount of methylphenidate, Daytrana is a transdermal patch that is placed on the skin to allow the diffusion of the medication through the epidermis and dermis to reach the blood stream. Daytrana is extremely accessible, easily attached and removed. Effects to this medication can be felt for as low as two hours after application.
Other medications
Aside from these medications, there are also other drugs that are found to treat ADHD although does not meet the approval standards of the FDA. Examples of these medications are amantadine, amineptine, Benzphetamine, Bupropion, Clonidine, Pernoline, Reboxetine, Selegiline and Modafinil. Other alternative medicines that have been seen to alleviate symptoms of ADHD are gingko biloba, st. john’s wort, and evening primrose oil. Other vitamins and minerals have also been found to have produce a positive reaction against ADHD.
ADHD is a disorder that has a lot of possibilities for treatment. It will now all depend on how the body takes it and how these medications act on it.
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