ADHD Medications

Medications for treating ADHD are believed to work by improving the way some chemicals work in certain regions of the brain. Researchers believe ADHD symptoms occur when certain brain chemicals, also called neurotransmitters, are not working properly. The two neurotransmitters that are thought to be affected in people with ADHD are called norepinephrine and dopamine. These brain chemicals are important for concentration, impulse control, and control of mood and behaviour.

ADHD medications are used to improve symptoms of poor attention, poor concentration, poor impulse control, and hyperactivity. It is thought that they do this by helping these neurotransmitters work properly.

The two main types of medications used to treat ADHD, stimulants and non-stimulants, work by increasing the actions of these neurotransmitters. For example, stimulants such as methylphenidate (e.g., Ritalin®) are thought to act mainly through the regulation of brain chemicals, called norepinephrine and dopamine. The non-stimulant atomoxetine (Strattera®) is believed to work by increasing the effects of norepinephrine in the brain.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/ADHD-Medications

There are a number of common beliefs about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some of them are true – and some aren't.

ADHD is caused by my child's diet and environment.
Myth. Although the exact cause of ADHD is unclear, the symptoms of ADHD appear to be genetically based and related to an imbalance in brain chemicals.

ADHD affects boys more often than girls.
Fact. Boys are diagnosed with ADHD more often than girls. There may be an underdiagnosis in girls as girls with ADHD often show fewer behavioural symptoms.

All children with ADHD eventually "grow out of it."
Myth. It is a common myth that children will outgrow ADHD. In fact, about 80% of children with ADHD will continue to have symptoms into adolescence and about 50% will experience ADHD symptoms as adults.

Children with ADHD should only take their medication while in school.
Myth. ADHD is a chronic disorder. Giving medication continuously through weekends and holidays may enable the child to better control behaviour and improve socialization and self-esteem. However, the decision to continuously give ADHD medication to children should be individualized and discussed with the child's doctor.

Medications are important for treating ADHD.
Fact. Medications are important for treating ADHD, but they are not the only treatment strategy. Treatment for ADHD must also include psychological, educational, and social measures to improve symptoms. People who suffer from ADHD benefit from changes in the classroom, behaviour management strategies, and medications.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/ADHD-Medications

Once you know your child has ADHD, there are several things to consider to ensure their symptoms are being best managed. The main goal of your child's treatment is to:

• decrease disruptive behaviours
• improve your child's functioning including school work and increased independence
• improve your child's interactions with peers and family
• improve your child's self-esteem
• enhance safety in the community such as in crossing streets or riding bicycles

To achieve this, you will likely need to combine several treatment options together. Some people refer to this as a "multimodal" approach. The treatment of your child's ADHD should ideally be tailored to their needs and your family's situation. Often, optimal treatment includes:

• education
• good communication between the school, home, and the treatment team
• behaviour management strategies
• medications

Once treatment has begun, various rating scales and forms can be used to track how you are doing and to see if there are any changes that need to be made.. Weekly progress diaries between home and school can also be used to measure improvements over time.

If your child's treatment plan is working well, it will be obvious that your child's functioning has improved considerably, their main ADHD symptoms are substantially diminished, and your child is interacting well with others. As well, side effects from any medications should be negligible or easy to manage.

If you do not feel your child's treatment plan is managing your child's ADHD symptoms well, you should discuss your concerns with your doctor at your next appointment. Your child may simply need a change in dose or perhaps a different medication. It may be worthwhile to review the treatment options with your doctor again. Many children who do not respond well to one medication for ADHD do well on another.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/ADHD-Medications

The medications used to treat ADHD are effective. The options for ADHD medications are:

• stimulant medications
• methylphenidate (Ritalin®, Ritalin SR®, Concerta®, Biphentin®, generic agents)
• dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®, Dexedrine Spansules®)
• mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall XR®)
• non-stimulant medication
• atomoxetine (Strattera®)

An effective treatment approach can result in improved school performance, improvements in relationships with others, and decreased disruptive behaviour.

ADHD medications are like eyeglasses: they only work when you are using them. Therefore, these medications must be taken as directed by your physician.

If you are using a long-acting stimulant or long-acting non-stimulant medication, they can usually be taken once daily, usually in the morning. The benefit of long-acting medications is that you don't need to take a dose at school, and there may be fewer missed doses and possibly fewer "wearing off" side effects.

As with other medications, there are side effects associated with ADHD medications. The side effects can differ between the medication options. The majority of side effects are easily managed and don't last long. It is possible for children to have some rare, but serious, side effects to these medications. Before starting any new medication, it is important to learn about the benefits and risks associated with them. With that in mind, if your child is starting a new medication for ADHD, you should be sure you ask your doctor or pharmacist the following 6 questions (assuming they didn't tell you this information already):

1. What benefits can I expect from this medication?
2. When will this medication start working?
3. How should this medication be taken?
4. What are the side effects or disadvantages of this medication?
5. Are there any precautions or serious, long-lasting side effects from this medication?
6. What do we do if we miss a dose?

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/ADHD-Medications