Stimulant Medications for ADHD
The greatest ADHD medications for children act by boosting two chemical levels in the brains of youngsters. These chemicals go by the names norepinephrine and dopamine. In moderation, they aid in children’s concentration. These medications are referred to as stimulants, and there are several variations. While some have a limited half-life and wear off in a few hours, others have a 12-hour half-life. The majority of youngsters with ADHD will benefit from taking a stimulant medicine. If the first medication your child tries doesn’t work or has negative side effects, doctors advise trying a different one.
The methylphenidate class of ADHD medications is a well-liked one. This includes Ritalin, Concerta, and Focalin, among other things. Since Concerta has a longer half-life than Ritalin, it might be useful for kids who need to stay focused later in the afternoon. There are also liquid options for kids who have problems swallowing their prescription drugs.
The other primary class of ADHD drugs consists of pharmaceuticals that contain amphetamine, like Adderall, Dexedrine, and others. Overall, these are a little stronger and last a little longer than methylphenidate medications, but they have roughly similar effects overall. Extended-release Adderall-XR is an additional choice. The last drug is Vyvanse, which comes in powder form and has a half-life of 14 hours. That is too long for most younger children, but it might be helpful for teens and young adults.
Dopamine and norepinephrine are two neurochemicals to take into account when studying stimulant medications for ADHD treatment. The pre-frontal cortex region of the brain needs both to be able to focus and pay attention. Think of it as the secretary of the brain: the hub for executive functioning, which consists of organizing, preparing, and carrying out.
If your dopamine and norepinephrine levels are optimal, you are fairly focused. But if you get too much, the brain might become overstimulated. Then, it seems as though you have worsening ADHD. Particularly among teenagers, there is a belief that “Well, if it’s good at this dose, more will be even better.” But this is untrue. It is possible for the feeling and quantity of adverse effects to get worse. Finding the right balance is therefore essential.
When it comes to stimulant medications for ADHD, there are numerous possibilities, but not all of them are created equal. If the drug I’m taking doesn’t seem to be working as well as I would want, I want to try another one. Children’s responses to different formulations might be highly varied.
Medication efficacy
If you have ADHD, there is a greater than 80% chance that you will benefit from medication, according to study. Of those, 50% will respond to the two main classes of ADHD medications in a comparable manner: methylphenidate (Ritalin and other brands) and amphetamine (Adderall and other brands). Methylphenidate is more effective for half of the remaining 50%, whereas amphetamine is better for the other half.
There are other medications that don’t rely on stimulants, despite the fact that they are significantly less effective in treating symptoms.
It might be challenging to administer a dose of stimulant drugs that is both long-lasting and effective. Ritalin was originally prescribed in 1961 to address ADHD in kids enrolled in kindergarten or first grade. It was three or four hours later. But kindergarteners have homework these days, and kids need to focus for longer amounts of time as they grow older to do well in school and get along with their family and friends. Technology has been developed to make pharmaceuticals release gradually and peak at the proper time, removing the need for users to remember to take them numerous times a day.
Charts for Stimulant Medication
Obtain charts that compare ADHD stimulant medications based on their duration of action and form (liquid, pill, capsule, or patch).
Methylphenidate-containing drugs
The methylphenidate formulation Ritalin, the oldest of them all, has a short half-life of three to four hours. Focalin is another methylphenidate molecule that also lasts for around four hours. Both of these medications begin to act 30 to 45 minutes after ingestion. For children who have trouble swallowing tablets, this medication can be crushed and taken with meals. There are also options for the short-acting methylphenidate liquid and chewable tablet versions.
The methylphenidate class of ADHD medications is a well-liked one. This includes Ritalin, Concerta, and Focalin, among other things. Since Concerta has a longer half-life than Ritalin, it might be useful for kids who need to stay focused later in the afternoon. There are also liquid options for kids who have problems swallowing their prescription drugs.
Extended-release formulations
Certain formulations of methylphenidate are intended to release at their peak over an extended period of time.
First up is Concerta, which is the equivalent of three Ritalin tablets and lasts for eight to twelve hours. It is among the methylphenidate medications with the longest half-lives. Concerta is unique in that you can’t chew on it or crack it open due to its hard shell. It has to be consumed in its entirety, which some kids could find difficult. There is a triple-release option available for it. The medication takes ten to fifteen minutes to take effect because it is first coated on the outside. The push chamber is inside and filled with a polymer fiber that expands like a sponge when it becomes wet. The drug is pushed out via a laser hole on one end of the chamber. The actual capsule isn’t taken in.
Ritalin-LA also contains beads; however, they are split 50/50, so half will be given immediately, peaking in the morning, and the other half will be released thirty minutes later, for a total duration of six to eight hours. As a result, your two-phase effect on focus and attention is noticeably stronger.
Aptensio XR and Focalin XR are pill forms that may be opened and taken with food; these often have a longer half-life than MetadateCD or Ritalin LA.
Quillichew ER is a chewable form of methylphenidate that has an eight-hour half-life.
The abrasion
And then there’s Daytrana, also known as the methylphenidate patch. Applying the patch involves removing the liner and placing it on the hip, which has less muscle than other body parts and will allow the medication to enter the bloodstream more quickly. The patch functions similarly to a drug carpet wrapped in adhesive.
In general, kids aren’t as excited. Some young people think it’s rude to wear patches. They’ll succeed since many kids with ADHD are tactile learners. It stays off even after you remove it. But, some college students I know prefer the patch since it frees them from having to remember to take their prescription later in the day and allows them to wear it for as long as they like. Children can still go asleep even if they forget to remove the patch because it only contains medication for nine to ten hours.
medications containing amphetamines
Amphetamines such as Adderall, Evekeo, Zenzedi, and Dexedrine are short-acting medications that take effect 30 to 45 minutes after injection and continue to work for 4 to 6 hours. Amphetamines generally have effects similar to methylphenidate, however they tend to be a little stronger and last a little longer.
Formulations with a long half-life
Like methylphenidate, many amphetamine preparations are made to release the medication gradually over time, extending the duration of the drug’s effectiveness. This is quite helpful when attempting to provide a response that spans the full school day, or around six to eight hours. A few of these substances begin to function at the same speed as the medications’ short-acting counterparts.
Adderall XR, the more potent version, is intended to work for ten to twelve hours. There are two types of beads in the capsule: half release rapidly and the other half releases more gently. Opening the capsule and mixing the beads with food is possible.
