The Most Effective ADHD Medication For Adults Mistake That Every Beginner Makes

The Most Effective ADHD Medication For Adults Mistake That Every Beginner Makes

The Most Effective ADHD Medication For Adults

Most ADHD medications are classified into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulants. The stimulants like methylphenidate (Provigil) and amphetamines work by increasing activity in parts of the brain that regulate the behaviour and attention.

Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine (Strattera), Guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay) are slower than stimulants but can help improve focus, concentration and impulsivity. They also help reduce anxiety, which is often comorbid ADHD in adults.

Stimulants

The first drug that doctors choose to treat ADHD is stimulant medications. However, these medications don't work for everyone and they can have bad adverse effects for certain people. Nonstimulant medications take longer to begin to work but they can help improve inattention and impulsiveness for certain adults. A combination of medications and behavioral therapy is generally the best way to treat ADHD.

The use of medication is 70%-80% effective for treating ADHD in adults. Medication is only one part of treatment, though: many people discover that lifestyle changes and training can also aid. Tell your doctor if you encounter any adverse reactions or issues with the medication. This will allow them to alter your dosage if required.


There are two kinds of stimulant medications: methylphenidates and amphetamines. Methylphenidates are the most common medications for ADD/ADHD. These medications are available in various strengths forms, dosages, and forms, including liquid, chewable tablet and capsule. Most adults and children are safe to take them. However, those with glaucoma or advanced arteriosclerosis or heart disease symptoms, or who have recently taken monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs), should not.

Amphetamines exhibit similar effects to methylphenidates but are more potent. They are less likely to cause severe adverse effects and are more effective in treating ADHD symptoms than methylphenidates. They are more likely than methylphenidates cause addiction and abuse. This is the reason they're classified as Schedule I drugs.

The stimulants of both kinds can have some undesirable side effects, such as headaches, stomach upset, jitters, trouble sleeping, and loss of appetite. However, most of them aren't severe and last for longer than a couple of weeks.

Nonstimulant medications

Nonstimulant drugs for ADHD take longer to begin working than stimulants and may not be as effective, but they can help improve attention and irritability. They function by increasing the levels of brain chemicals that help control emotions and help focus attention. There are many kinds of these drugs and some doctors might prescribe them along with a stimulant to get the most out of both treatments.

Strattera (atomoxetine) is an SNRI that raises levels of norepinephrine, a chemical in the brain that helps reduce impulsivity and inattention. It took a long time for it to become FDA-approved for treating ADHD, but it's been proven to be effective for adults.  adhd medication I Am Psychiatry  (Intuniv) is a blood pressure medication that also increases levels of norepinephrine while reducing the impulsiveness. It takes a bit longer to begin working than amphetamines and methylphenidate and it has more of a "no-fly" impact on the brain. Wellbutrin/Zyban, (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine) are other medications that can increase the norepinephrine level. These aren't endorsed by the FDA to treat ADHD however they could aid people suffering from this disorder. In addition, antidepressants are sometimes prescribed to treat ADHD due to the fact that they can increase the levels of certain brain chemicals that affect mood and behavior.