ADHD Medications For Adults
There are many options for ADHD treatment for adults. They include stimulants, non-stimulants as well as antidepressants.
Stimulants are typically used to treat symptoms of ADHD. They increase brain levels of dopamine as well as norepinephrine.
Bupropion
There are a number of different adhd medications for adults, including stimulants and non-stimulants. Many people with ADHD use stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall to be effective. However, they can trigger some negative side effects. They also can aggravate the symptoms of comorbid insomnia, mood and anxiety disorders.
Bupropion is a prescription medicine that is used to treat depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by increasing levels of dopamine within the brain. It can be taken in an immediate-release or sustained-release form.
Bupropion can be used as an individual therapy to enhance ADHD behavior and reduce impulsivity. It is also beneficial for ADHD patients with comorbid depression and substance abuse disorders.
In a controlled clinical trial the participants with bupropion were 78% more likely to reach the point of improvement measured by the CGI scale than those who were in the placebo group. These results are extremely promising however, not enough participants were included to confirm if the improvements were lasting.
While bupropion has been found to be safe, it is not without risks. Bupropion may cause dizziness, dry eyes, dry mouth, nausea and drowsiness. You can lessen or eliminate some of these side effects by changing your dose.
Side effects can also be severe if you are taking other medications or alcohol and if there is a history of heart disease and high blood pressure, as well as irregular heartbeats, or heart disease. Talk to your physician if you experience any of these conditions.
You should also inform your doctor if expecting or plan to become pregnant. Certain antidepressants could affect the development of your child.
The chance of having congenital defects particularly chromosomal defects, is increased with the use of some antidepressants and anti-seizure medications. If you are taking an antidepressant or other medication for a long period of time consult your physician about the risk of having a baby born with these defects.
Bupropion could cause birth defects and other health issues in the unborn child if taken during pregnancy. Because of the risks pregnant women should not take this medication if expecting or planning to become pregnant.
Guanfacine
Guanfacine is a medication that is not stimulant, may be used for ADHD patients who have had a failure with stimulants. It can be used as an alternative for methylphenidate. It is also employed in conjunction with other ADHD supplements and medications.
Guanfacine can only be taken daily, either in the morning or at the end of the day. It is usually consumed alongside other liquids, such as water, and should not be crushed or chewed. If you do not take your dose, it is essential to take it as quickly as you can.
This drug may cause the effects of calming and sedation. It is not recommended to take alongside alcohol or other depressant drugs since they can enhance the sedative effects of this medication.
While there aren' medication for adhd in adults that have studied the effects of guanfacine for adults with ADHD One study where 17 subjects were given guanfacine and DAMP showed it to be comparable with dextroamphetamine.
Another study of 25 children revealed that guanfacine reduced ADHD symptoms and tics in children previously treated with methylphenidate, but were still receiving stimulants (Scahill, et al 2006). This group experienced a significant improvement that could be considered clinically significant.
A third study of Guanfacine among teens found it to be more effective than placebo in treating ADHD and tics. The reduction in symptoms among these children was associated with a decrease in commission and omission errors in the Conner Parental Rating Scale (CPRS) and higher school performance scores on the Yale Global Severity Scale (YGTSS).
The usual dose of guanfacine used for children older than is 0.5 mg to 1 mg, taken twice each day. Dosing can be increased gradually according to the weight and age. To ensure that there's no drop or fainting in blood pressure, a physician will check the child's pulse and blood pressure while they are taking this medication. The medication is usually combined with a diuretic to lower blood pressure.
Clonidine
Clonidine, a nonstimulant drug is a drug that can be used to treat ADHD symptoms. It also helps lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety. It can be purchased in tablet form, in the form of an injectable or transdermal treatment that gradually delivers the drug throughout the day to your body.
It is an alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist which lowers blood pressure and reduces the heart rate. Researchers aren't sure how it aids in treating ADHD but it is believed that it acts on the area of the brain that influences hyperactivity and inattention.
Typically, clonidine is consumed in a dose of 0.1 milligram (mg) each day , at time of sleep or as directed the doctor. It can also be taken as a transdermal patch that is applied to the skin once weekly.
Clonidine is a highly effective treatment for ADHD symptoms. However, it's not as potent or powerful as stimulant medication. It may take several weeks before you start to see the full benefits. It could also cause undesirable side effects, including sleepiness or drowsiness, which can affect your school and performance at work.
If you are experiencing trouble sleeping, speak to your doctor about a new medication or dosage. This is especially true for those taking benzodiazepines or other antidepressants that can cause sleepiness.
Some users of clonidine experience a condition referred to as "brain fog," which makes it difficult to concentrate on tasks. It's temporary and can be overcome as your body adjusts to clonidine.
Clonidine, as well as other non-stimulants, should be taken in accordance with the prescription of your doctor. Keep a record of all the medicines you take and any vitamins or supplements you are taking. It is also recommended to discuss with your doctor any changes to your eating habits or workout routines.
Overdoses of Clonidine can cause dizziness and tiredness. Overdoses can result in reversible dysrhythmias, cardiac conduction problems as well as seizures, apnea and coma.
Clonidine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is used in adults and children. Clonidine can also be used to lower blood pressure. It is available as an extended-release (long acting) tablet as well as transdermal patches, which can be applied to the skin each week.
Non-stimulants
Your doctor may prescribe non-stimulant drugs if you are unable to manage ADHD symptoms with stimulants. This includes a variety of dopamine-enhancing and norepinephrine-based drugs as well as antidepressants. Certain of them are designed specifically to treat ADHD and other disorders, while others are prescriptions off-label.
These medications are more effective than stimulants. They must be taken in multiple doses daily for the best results. They also require longer to titrate meaning they might require more adjustments to doses or dosage schedules.
They also have more potential adverse effects, like high blood pressure and a fast heart rate, and can cause psychiatric issues. This is something you must discuss with your doctor prior to taking any medication.
Non-stimulant medications include atomoxetine (Strattera) and Clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv). These medications increase norepinephrine levels and can result in increased focus and attention. They also help improve impulsive behavior and lessen the need to move or fidget.
These medications are effective in the reduction of ADHD symptoms. However, they may cause mood swings and even rebound. If the side effects are troubling, you and your doctor may try overlapping doses or switching to an extended release form of medication. These substances build up in the bloodstream and then wear off slowly.
Another class of medication, the NDRIs (norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibits) slow down the brain's reabsorption. They are most commonly used to treat depression however, some may be beneficial for ADHD.
These medications are more expensive and typically taken in higher doses than quick-acting stimulants, but they are generally safe and have a solid safety record. They are available in both short-acting and longer-acting forms with shorter-acting versions beginning to work in as little as an hour after they've been taken and long-acting versions lasting for up to 24 hrs.
Certain of these medications that are not stimulants such as clonidine, Guanfacine, can be prescribed in conjunction with stimulants for patients who suffer from depression or anxiety. These medications can also reduce adverse effects associated with stimulants for example, sleeplessness and agitation.