Common Side Effects Of ADHD Medication
Options for treatment
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has no recognized remedy as of the time this article was written. To learn how to control your symptoms and keep them from badly impacting your life, there are only a few different sorts of treatment available.
Recognizing various drugs
Various ADHD drugs function in different ways. For ADHD treatment, there are two categories of medication:
1. Stimulant ADHD drugs:
Stimulant drugs function by raising levels of specific neurotransmitters, which are unique substances that facilitate communication between brain cells and are involved in focus and attention. Since stimulants have been demonstrated to be successful in treating ADHD symptoms such as hyperactivity and disruptive behavior in as many as 70% of adults and between 70 and 80% of children, they are the most often recommended medicine for the condition.
.2. Non-stimulant ADHD medications:
A patient’s doctor might suggest a non-stimulant drug if stimulant medication is ineffective in treating their ADHD symptoms. Non-stimulant drugs help control the symptoms of ADHD by focusing on a different neurotransmitter. Non-stimulants are not classified as controlled substances, and they might be suggested for those who have a history of drug usage or who have stimulant adverse effects.
Consult your physician, other healthcare provider, or pharmacist about any potential adverse effects before taking any medications. Keep in mind that every person reacts to drugs differently, so you can have different affects than a friend or family member.
Getting the dosage just right is crucial to reducing the negative effects of ADHD medication. You or your child may need to experiment with dosages while starting medicine to determine which one(s) works best. Certain symptoms, like headaches, could go away after a few weeks, while other symptoms, like mood swings or impatience, might mean you should try a different drug or dosage. A handful of the most typical adverse effects of ADHD medication are listed here.
elevated chance of heart problems
Stimulants raise heart rate and blood pressure, which may increase the chance that patients will experience persistent high blood pressure in the future. Long-term use of stimulant medications has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, according to studies. Long-term stimulant drug usage in children was previously thought to increase the incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD), however a new meta-analysis of three studies involving almost two million participants disproves this theory.
Issues with sleep
Some people who use ADHD medication may find it difficult to fall asleep. You might be taking your prescription too late in the day if you or your child is taking a short-acting stimulant and experiencing trouble falling asleep at night. Over time, when you or your child get used to the drug, sleep problems can go away.
Mood swings and agitation
When using stimulants, some people may experience mood swings or irritability. Your doctor might suggest switching to a non-stimulant medicine, adjusting the dosage, or trying a different stimulant prescription if this occurs.A brief summary of some ADHD drugs and their adverse effects is provided below. The following is a list of some of the most popular ADHD drugs and their most well-known adverse effects, while it is not all-inclusive: Amphetamine, or Adderall XR:appetite loss, sleeplessness, stomach discomfort, weight loss, erratic behavior, emesis, anxiety, agitation, nervousness, dry mouth, diarrhea, asthenia, and urinary tract infection. While Adderall may be the most widely used and well-known medication for ADHD, receiving a prescription for a different drug does not necessarily indicate cause for concern.
Methylphenidate, or concerta, can cause the following side effects: disturbed sleep, dry mouth, decreased appetite, dizziness, increased sweating, headache, stomach ache, nausea, anxiety, irritability, weight loss, seizures, altered vision, priapism, blurred vision, and impairment of the ability to drive, operate machinery, or carry out other maybe hazardous tasks.
Additionally, concerta can increase the risk of heart-related disorders or cause new ones, as well as intensify behavioral or mental health difficulties that already exist in the patient, particularly if they are well-established in their medical history.
In addition, it can result in changes in skin color, numbness, coolness, and pain in the limbs if the patient has circulation issues.
The effects of dexedrine (amphetamine) include tremors, headaches, dizziness, irregular heartbeats, seizures, decreased appetite, upset stomach, weight loss, dry mouth, and slower growth in children. It can also cause problems when driving, operating machinery, or performing other risky duties.
This prescription can potentially cause or worsen mental health problems, circulation problems, or heart problems in patients, particularly if there is a medical or familial history of these symptoms.
Constipation, dry mouth, headaches, nausea, evekeo (amphetamine): difficulty falling asleep, mood swings, constipation, bad taste, decreased appetite, stomach ache, itching, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss.
Seizures, altered vision, child development retardation, hazy vision, and the incapacity to operate machinery, drive, and carry out potentially hazardous duties are other possible side effects. These adverse effects resemble those of Adderall in many cases. Quillivant XR (methylphenidate): Like many other medications, this one can aggravate or cause problems in the areas of heart health, blood pressure, mental health, or circulation, so it’s important to let your doctor know if you have any of these conditions in your own health or in the medical history of your family.
Additional frequent side effects include difficulty falling asleep, fever, dry mouth, irritability, dizziness, increased sweating, restlessness, stomach pain, fast heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, nervousness, agitation, shaking, blurred vision, and elevated blood pressure. Additionally, it may result in seizures, altered vision, or a delay in a child’s growth.
7. Strattera
Children’s sluggish growth, vomiting, nausea, vomiting, severe allergic reactions, and difficulties urinating.
This medication advises reporting any mental health disorders that may have been present in your family medical history as well as any current liver difficulties.
8. Side effects of vyvanse include dizziness, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, upper stomach pain, dry mouth, irritability, anxiety, and weight loss.
It’s also advisable to let your doctor know in advance if you have any mental health or circulation problems.
Symptoms can be controlled with therapy
Certain forms of therapy can be useful in controlling ADHD symptoms in addition to medication.
Although some younger individuals with ADHD whose conduct is problematic may benefit from medication, behavior treatment is advised for children under the age of twelve, according to specialists. The goal of behavior therapy is to promote constructive habits and discourage harmful ones. The child’s physician might suggest parent education in behavior treatment because parents who provide it to their children are more likely to see results.
It has been demonstrated that adult ADHD symptoms can be effectively managed with cognitive behavior therapy. The goal of cognitive behavior therapy for ADHD is to assist individuals in recognizing harmful thought and behavior patterns and reorganizing them into more constructive and constructive thought and behavior patterns.
When it comes to treating ADHD, online therapy has shown to be quite beneficial, especially for individuals and families who might otherwise be waiting to see a therapist who lives nearby. You can connect online with a mental health expert via a network maintained by websites like BetterHelp.
Additionally, online therapy is typically less expensive than in-person therapy, which is particularly advantageous for those who might otherwise need to pay for childcare, take time off work, or arrange for transportation.
