ADHD Medications For Adults
There are a lot of options available for ADHD treatment for adults. They include antidepressants, stimulants, and non-stimulants.
The use of stimulants is widely used to combat symptoms of ADHD. They increase brain levels of dopamine as well as norepinephrine.
Bupropion
There are many different drugs that can be used to treat ADHD in adults, such as stimulants as well as non-stimulants. Many people with ADHD have found stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall to be efficient. However, they can trigger certain side effects. They also may worsen the symptoms of comorbid insomnia, mood and anxiety disorders.
Bupropion is a prescription drug used to treat depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by increasing the levels of dopamine within the brain. It is available in a long-term or immediate-release form.
If bupropion is administered as a monotherapy, it has been shown to improve the behavior and reduce impulsivity among people with ADHD. It is also effective in ADHD patients suffering from depression and substance abuse disorder.
A clinical trial randomized to a random sample discovered that treatment with bupropion made adults 78 percent more likely than placebo to achieve the point of improvement as measured by the CGI scale. These results are very encouraging, but the studies did not include enough people to establish if the benefits were permanent.
Bupropion has been proven safe but it may cause side effects. The most commonly reported side effects of bupropion include drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea and dizziness. Some of these adverse effects can be diminished or eliminated by altering the dosage.
The effects of side effects can be severe if you are taking other drugs or alcohol and if you have a history of heart disease or high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, or heart disease. You should consult your doctor if you suffer from any of these problems.
Your doctor should know if you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant. Some antidepressants may affect the development of your child.
Some antidepressants and other anti-seizure medications can increase the risk of congenital anomalies, especially chromosomal abnormalities. Check with your doctor if have been taking antidepressants or other medication for a while to assess the possibility of having a baby with these conditions.
Taking bupropion while pregnant may cause birth defects or other health problems in the baby who is stillborn. Because of the risks women should not take the medication if they're pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.
Guanfacine
Guanfacine is a medication that is not stimulant can be used to treat ADHD patients who have experienced problems with stimulants. It can be used as an alternative for methylphenidate. It can also be prescribed in combination with other supplements or medications for ADHD.
Guanfacine can be taken only at least once a day, either in morning or at the night. Guanfacine should be consumed in conjunction with water or other liquids. It should not be broken down or chewed. It is crucial to consume the dose you missed right away.
This drug can cause the effects of calming and sedation. This medication should not be used with alcohol, or any other depressant medications since they can increase the sedative effect.
There aren't many studies on the use of guanfacine by adults suffering from ADHD however, one study in which 17 subjects took Guanfacine with DAMP found it to be similar to dextroamphetamine.
Another study with 25 children demonstrated that guanfacine decreased ADHD symptoms and tics in children who were previously treated with methylphenidate but were still receiving stimulants (Scahill, et al 2006). The improvement was significant enough to be clinically meaningful in this population.
A third study of the use of guanfacine by teens showed it to be more effective than placebo in treating ADHD and tics. The children saw a decrease 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 older than age 5 the recommended dosage of guanfacine ranges from 0.5 to 1 mg daily. Based on weight and age the dosage can be gradually increased. To ensure that there is no drop or fainting in blood pressure, a doctor will check the child's pulse and blood pressure while they are taking this medication. This medication is usually administered alongside a diuretic to lower high blood pressure.
Clonidine
Clonidine is a non-stimulant drug that can be used to treat the symptoms of ADHD. Clonidine is also used to reduce blood pressure and anxiety. It can be purchased in tablet form, in the form of an injectable or transdermal application that slowly delivers the medication throughout the day to your body.
The drug is an alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist that lowers blood pressure by relaxing the arteries and reducing the heart rate. Although scientists aren't certain how it works, it is believed that it affects the part in the brain that is responsible for hyperactivity and inattention.
Clonidine is typically taken in the dosage of 0.1 mg (mg) every night before bedtime, or as directed by a doctor. It is also available as a transdermal patch which is applied to the skin once every week.
Clonidine is a highly effective treatment for ADHD symptoms. However, it's not as effective or powerful as stimulant medication. It can take several weeks before you begin to experience the full benefits. It may also cause some side effects, such as sleepiness or drowsiness that can affect your school and work performance.
Consult your physician If you're having trouble falling asleep. This is especially important when you are taking other drugs that induce drowsiness such as benzodiazepines, or other antidepressants.
Some people who take clonidine also experience a condition called "brain fog," which makes it difficult to focus on tasks. This temporary condition can be treated with clonidine.
It is crucial to follow the instructions of your doctor carefully when taking clonidine and other non-stimulants. It is important to keep a record of the medications you are taking and any vitamins or supplements you take. You should also discuss with your doctor any changes in eating habits or workout routines.
Clonidine overdoses can cause dizziness and tiredness. Overdoses can cause irreparable dysrhythmias, heart conduction disorders, seizures, apnea and coma.
Clonidine is used to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults. It can also be used to treat high blood pressure. It is available in an extended-release (long-acting) tablet form as well as transdermal patches that can be applied to the skin each week.
Non-stimulants
If you're unable to manage your ADHD symptoms with stimulants your doctor may prescribe non-stimulant medications. non stimulant adhd medication includes a variety of dopamine-enhancing medications and norepinephrine as well as antidepressants. Some are developed specifically to treat ADHD, while others are off-label prescriptions.
Unlike stimulants, these medications take longer to be effective and usually need to be taken multiple times a day to get the full effect. They may also take longer to adjust which could mean they require adjustments to dosages or schedules.
They also have a greater chance of adverse effects, like high blood pressure and a fast heart rate. These can cause psychiatric issues. This is a possibility which should be discussed with your physician before you start taking any kind of medication.
Non-stimulant medications are atomoxetine, clonidine (Kapvay), and Guanfacine. These medications increase the amount of a brain chemical known as norepinephrine. It increases focus and attention. These drugs can also be used to reduce impulsive behavior and the need to move or fidget.
While they are effective in helping to reduce ADHD symptoms, these drugs can cause mood changes and, sometimes, a rebound effect. These adverse effects can be uncomfortable so you might want to discuss with your doctor the possibility of switching to an extended-release medications or doses that overlap. The medication builds up in the bloodstream, and it wears off slowly.
A different class of medicines called NDRIs (norepinephrine dopamine reuptake inhibitors) slow down the reabsorption of norepinephrine as well as dopamine into the brain. They are commonly used to treat depression. However, some can also be beneficial for ADHD.
They are more expensive and are usually consumed in higher doses than fast-acting stimulants. However they are generally less dangerous and have a good safety record. They are available in both long-acting and short-acting forms. Shorter-acting stimulants are taken within one hour, while longer-acting stimulants can last for up to 24 hours.
Certain of these medications that are not stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine, are prescribed alongside stimulants for people who have coexisting depression or anxiety. These medications can also reduce adverse effects caused by stimulants, for example, sleeplessness and agitation.