ADHD Medications For Adults
When it comes to ADHD medication for adults, there are a few different choices. They include stimulants, non-stimulants as well as antidepressants.
ADHD symptoms are usually treated by using stimulants. They increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain.
Bupropion
There are a number of different ADHD medications for adults including stimulants and non-stimulants. stimulants, such as Adderall and Ritalin are great for a large number of people suffering from ADHD. However, they could cause some adverse effects. They also can aggravate the effects of comorbid mood, sleep, and anxiety disorders.
Bupropion is a prescription medicine used to treat both depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by increasing levels of dopamine in the brain. It is available in a long-term or immediate-release form.
Bupropion can be used as a monotherapy to improve ADHD behavior and decrease impulsivity. It is also effective in ADHD patients suffering from depression and substance abuse disorder.
A controlled clinical trial that was randomized found that bupropion treatment resulted in adults being 78 percent more likely than placebo to achieve the point of improvement measured by the CGI scale. These results are very encouraging but the research did not include enough people to establish if the benefits were lasting.
Bupropion has been found to be safe however it could cause side effects. The most commonly reported side effects of bupropion include dry mouth, drowsiness nausea and dizziness. Some of these adverse effects can be diminished or eliminated by changing the dosage.
Other side effects can be severe, especially if you take other drugs or alcohol, and also if you suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, a history of a heart attack, or an irregular heartbeat. If you have any of these conditions, it's important to talk to your doctor.
Your doctor should know whether you are expecting, or plan to become pregnant. Certain antidepressants could affect the development of your baby.
Certain antidepressants and other anti-seizure medicines can increase the risk of congenital anomalies, especially chromosomal abnormalities. Talk to your doctor if have been using antidepressants or any other medication for a long time to determine the possibility of having a baby with these conditions.
The use of bupropion during pregnancy could cause birth defects or other health issues in the unborn child. Women shouldn't take bupropion while pregnant or planning to become pregnant because of the potential risks.
Guanfacine
Guanfacine is a medication that is non-stimulant that may be used in adults with ADHD who have had a difficult time with stimulants. It can be used as an alternative for methylphenidate. It can also be prescribed in combination with other medications or supplements for ADHD.
Guanfacine is only taken once daily, in the morning or at night. Guanfacine should be consumed with water or other liquids. It shouldn't be broken down or chewed. If you missed a dose, it is essential to take it as soon as you can.
This drug can cause the effects of calming and sedation. This medication should not be taken with alcohol, or any other depressant drug since they can enhance the sedative effect.
There aren't many studies that have been conducted on the effects of guanfacine on adults suffering from ADHD, but one trial where 17 participants took guanfacine in combination with DAMP found it to be comparable to dextroamphetamine.
Another study with 25 children demonstrated that guanfacine reduced ADHD symptoms and tics in children previously treated with methylphenidate, but were still receiving stimulants (Scahill et al, 2006). The study showed a significant improvement that could be considered to be clinically relevant.
A third study on Guanfacine among teens found it to be more effective than placebo when it comes to treating ADHD and tics. Children who received it experienced a reduction in symptoms and a reduction in omissions and commissions in the Conner Parental Rating Scale. They also had higher school performance scores on Yale Global Severity Scale.
For children who are older the recommended dose of guanfacine is 0.5 to 1 mg twice every day. The dosage can be increased slowly dependent on the weight and age. A doctor will check the child's pulse and blood pressure during treatment to ensure that there's no drop in blood pressure or fainting. The medication is often administered along with a diuretic medication to help lower blood pressure.
Clonidine
Clonidine is a non-stimulant drug that can be used to treat the symptoms of ADHD. Clonidine can also be used to lower blood pressure and decrease anxiety. It is available in tablet form, in the form of an injection, or a transdermal patch which slowly delivers the drug to your body throughout the day.
It is an alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist which lowers blood pressure and slows the heart rate. Although scientists aren't certain how it works however, it is believed that it is a part in the brain that is responsible for hyperactivity and inattention.
Clonidine is generally taken at the dose of 0.1 mg (mg) every night before night, or as directed by a doctor. It can also be applied to your skin once a week in a transdermal spray.
Clonidine is a highly effective treatment for ADHD symptoms. However, it's not as effective or powerful as stimulant medication. It may take several weeks before you start to reap the full benefits. Effects like sleepiness and drowsiness are also likely to occur, which could have an impact on your school or work performance.
Speak to your doctor If you're having trouble falling asleep. This is especially true for people who are taking benzodiazepines or other antidepressants that can cause the feeling of drowsiness.
Some people who are taking clonidine experience a condition known as "brain fog," which makes it difficult to concentrate on tasks. It's temporary and can be resolved as your body adjusts to clonidine.
It is important to follow the doctor's instructions carefully when taking clonidine or other non-stimulants. Keep a record of all the medicines you take and any vitamins or supplements you are taking. You should also discuss with your physician any changes in eating habits or workout routines.
Clonidine overdoses can cause dizziness and sleepiness. Overdoses have caused reversible dysrhythmias or irregularities in cardiac conduction including apnea or coma and seizures.
Clonidine is used to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults. Clonidine is also used to lower blood pressure. It is available as an extended-release (long acting) tablet as well as a transdermal patch, which can be applied to the skin every week.
Non-stimulants
Your doctor may prescribe non-stimulant medication if are unable control ADHD symptoms with stimulants. They include a range dopamine- and norepinephrine-enhancing medications that include antidepressants. Some are specially designed to treat ADHD as well as others that are prescriptions off-label.
Contrary to stimulants, these drugs are more difficult to use and often need to be used multiple times throughout the throughout the day to ensure that they have a constant effect. They can also take longer to titrate which could mean that they require adjustments to dosages or schedules.
These drugs can also cause adverse effects, such as high blood pressure and a fast heart rate, and could even cause psychiatric issues. This is a possibility that should be discussed with your doctor prior to beginning any type of medication.
Non-stimulant medicines include Atomoxetine (Strattera) and Clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv). These medications boost norepinephrine levels which can result in an increase in focus and attention. These medications can be used to lessen the urge to move or fidget.
While they are effective in the reduction of ADHD symptoms, these medications can trigger mood swings and occasionally a rebound effect. If these side effects are unsettling you and your doctor might try overlapping doses or switching to an extended-release form of medication. These drugs build up in the bloodstream and fade off slowly.
Another class of medications, NDRIs (norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors) slow down the brain's reabsorption. They are most commonly used to treat depression. However, some may also be beneficial in treating ADHD.
These medications are more expensive and are typically used in higher doses than stimulants that are quick-acting however they are generally safe and have a good safety record. They are available in both short-acting and long-acting forms. Shorter-acting stimulants are taken within one hour, while longer-acting stimulants for up to 24 hours.
For prescribing medication with depression or anxiety that is co-occurring Certain of these non-stimulant medicines can be prescribed along with stimulants. Guanfacine and Clonidine are two examples. These medications can also lessen adverse effects associated with stimulants such as sleeplessness and agitation.