Psychiatric Drugs »» Antidepressants | Antipsychotics | Antianxiety | Antimanic Agents | Stimulants | Prescription Drugs » Tag: ritalin

What medications are used to treat ADHD?

admin — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 14:20:08 +0000

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) occurs in both children and adults. ADHD is commonly treated with stimulants, such as:
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta, Daytrana)
Amphetamine (Adderall)
Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat).

In 2002, the FDA approved the nonstimulant medication atomoxetine (Strattera) for use as a treatment for ADHD. In February 2007, the FDA approved the use of the stimulant lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse) for the treatment of ADHD in children ages 6 to 12 years.
What are the side effects?
Most side effects are minor and disappear when dosage levels are lowered. The most common side effects include:
Decreased appetite. Children seem to be less hungry during the middle of the day, but they are often hungry by dinnertime as the medication wears off.
Sleep problems. If a child cannot fall asleep, the doctor may prescribe a lower dose. The doctor might also suggest that parents give the medication to their child earlier in the day, or stop the afternoon or evening dose. To help ease sleeping problems, a doctor may add a prescription for a low dose of an antidepressant or a medication called clonidine.
Stomachaches and headaches.
Less common side effects. A few children develop sudden, repetitive movements or sounds called tics. These tics may or may not be noticeable. Changing the medication dosage may make tics go away. Some children also may appear to have a personality change, such as appearing “flat” or without emotion. Talk with your child’s doctor if you see any of these side effects.
How are ADHD medications taken?

Stimulant medications can be short-acting or long-acting, and can be taken in different forms such as a pill, patch, or powder. Long-acting, sustained and extended release forms allow children to take the medication just once a day before school. Parents and doctors should decide together which medication is best for the child and whether the child needs medication only for school hours or for evenings and weekends too.

ADHD medications help many children and adults who are hyperactive and impulsive. They help people focus, work, and learn. Stimulant medication also may improve physical coordination. However, different people respond differently to medications, so children taking ADHD medications should be watched closely.
Are ADHD medications safe?
Stimulant medications are safe when given under a doctor’s supervision. Some children taking them may feel slightly different or “funny.”

Some parents worry that stimulant medications may lead to drug abuse or dependence, but there is little evidence of this. Research shows that teens with ADHD who took stimulant medications were less likely to abuse drugs than those who did not take stimulant medications.14
FDA warning on possible rare side effects

In 2007, the FDA required that all makers of ADHD medications develop Patient Medication Guides. The guides must alert patients to possible heart and psychiatric problems related to ADHD medicine. The FDA required the Patient Medication Guides because a review of data found that ADHD patients with heart conditions had a slightly higher risk of strokes, heart attacks, and sudden death when taking the medications. The review also found a slightly higher risk (about 1 in 1,000) for medication-related psychiatric problems, such as hearing voices, having hallucinations, becoming suspicious for no reason, or becoming manic. This happened to patients who had no history of psychiatric problems.

The FDA recommends that any treatment plan for ADHD include an initial health and family history examination. This exam should look for existing heart and psychiatric problems.

The non-stimulant ADHD medication called atomoxetine (Strattera) carries another warning. Studies show that children and teenagers with ADHD who take atomoxetine are more likely to have suicidal thoughts than children and teenagers with ADHD who do not take atomoxetine. If your child is taking atomoxetine, watch his or her behavior carefully. A child may develop serious symptoms suddenly, so it is important to pay attention to your child’s behavior every day. Ask other people who spend a lot of time with your child, such as brothers, sisters, and teachers, to tell you if they notice changes in your child’s behavior. Call a doctor right away if your child shows any of the following symptoms:
Acting more subdued or withdrawn than usual
Feeling helpless, hopeless, or worthless
New or worsening depression
Thinking or talking about hurting himself or herself
Extreme worry
Agitation
Panic attacks
Trouble sleeping
Irritability
Aggressive or violent behavior
Acting without thinking
Extreme increase in activity or talking
Frenzied, abnormal excitement
Any sudden or unusual changes in behavior.

While taking atomoxetine, your child should see a doctor often, especially at the beginning of treatment. Be sure that your child keeps all appointments with his or her doctor.

Source: http://www.nimh.nih.gov

Tags: abnormal excitement, Acting more subdued or withdrawn than usual, Acting without thinking, Adderall, Aggressive or violent behavior, agitation, Amphetamine, Atomoxetine, Concerta, Daytrana, Dexedrine, Dextroamphetamine, Dextrostat, Extreme increase in activity or talking, Extreme worry, Feeling helpless hopeless or worthless, Frenzied, Headaches, irritability, Metadate, methylphenidate, New or worsening depression, panic attacks, ritalin, Stomachaches, Strattera, Thinking or talking about hurting himself or herself, trouble sleeping, What medications are used to treat ADHD?

Health Risks of Psychiatric Drugs

admin — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:43:06 +0000

Making a decision about coming off psychiatric drugs means evaluating as best you can the risks and benefits involved, including important information missing or suppressed from most mainstream accounts. Some risks may be worth taking, some risks may not be worth taking, but all risks should be taken into consideration. Because each person is different and drug effects can vary widely, the uncertainty involved should be met with your own best judgment and observations of how your body and mind are responding. This list cannot be comprehensive, and new risks are being uncovered regularly. Check a watchdog group (like www.ahrp.org) for the latest information.
Physical Health Risks
Psychiatric drugs are toxic and can damage the body. Neuroleptic “anti-psychotics” can cause the life-threatening toxic reaction called neuroleptics malignant syndrome, as well as Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms. Regular blood level tests are required of some drugs such as lithium and Clozaril to protect against dangerous organ damage. Many drugs can lead to obesity, diabetes, sudden heart attack, kidney failure, serious blood disorder, and general physical breakdown. Other toxic effects are numerous, and include interfering with the menstrual cycle, threats to pregnancy, and life-threatening “serotonin syndrome” when anti-depressants are mixed with other drugs.
• Psychiatric drugs can injure the brain. The rate of tardive dyskinesia, a serious neurological disease that can disfigure a person with facial tics and twitching, is very high for long-term patients on neuroleptic anti-psychotic drugs, and even short-term use carries some risk. Anti-depressants can also cause brain injury. Other effects can include memory damage and cognitive impairment.
• Pharmaceutical company effectiveness and safety studies, as well as FDA regulation, are extensively corrupted and fraud is widespread. There are few long-term studies, or studies of how drugs combine together. The real extent of psychiatric drug dangers may never be accurately known. Taking psychiatric drugs is in many ways society-wide experimentation, with patients as guinea pigs.
• Combining with alcohol or other drugs can dramatically increase dangers.
• Drug effects can lower the quality of life, including impaired sexuality, depression, agitation, and overall health deterioration.
• Drug-induced body changes such as restlessness or stiffness can alienate you from others and increase isolation.
• Lithium interacts with salt and water in the body, and when these levels change, such as from exercise, heat, or diet, potency can fluctuate. Even with regular blood tests and dosage adjustments, this means people taking lithium are sometimes at risk of exposure to damaging levels.
• ADHD drugs such as Adderall and Ritalin can stunt growth in children, and present other unknown dangers to brain and physical development. Like any amphetamines, they can cause psychosis and heart problems, including sudden death.
• ADHD stimulants, sleeping aids, and benzodiazepine tranquilizers are physically addictive like street drugs, and benzodiazepenes are more addictive than heroin.
Mental Health Risks
Mental health risks are some of the least understood aspects of psychiatric medications, and can make drug decisions and the withdrawal process very complicated. Here are some things that your doctor may not have told you:
Psychiatric drugs can make psychotic symptoms worse and increase the likelihood of having psychotic symptoms. Drugs can change receptors for such neurotransmitters as dopamine, making a person “supersensitive” to becoming psychotic, as well as increasing sensitivity to emotions and experiences in general. Some people report some of their first psychotic symptoms occurred after starting to take psychiatric drugs.
• Many drugs now carry warnings about the increased risk of suicide and violent behavior.
• Many people experience negative personality changes, including not feeling themselves, feeling drugged, emotional blunting, diminished creativity, and reduced psychic/spiritual openness.
• People who take psychiatric drugs, especially anti-psychotics, are often more likely to become long-term and chronic mental patients. People in poor countries that use less medication recover much faster than in rich countries that use a lot of medication. Many people recover faster and do much better without drugs.
• Once you are on the drug, your personality and critical thinking abilities may be very changed. It might be difficult to properly evaluate the drug’s usefulness. You may need to get off the drug, but not realize it because of how the drug is affecting your thinking.
• Psychiatric drugs can interrupt and impair the mind’s natural ability to regulate and heal emotional problems. Many people report having to “re-learn” how to cope with difficult emotions when they come off psychiatric drugs.
• Some people, even experiencing the worst depths of madness, say that by going through their experiences rather than suppressing them, they emerge stronger and healthier in the end. Sometimes “going crazy” can be the doorway to personal transformation, and some people are thankful for even the most painful suffering they have been through. Drugs can obscure this possible positive side. Artists, philosophers, poets, writers and healers often attribute tremendous value to the insights gained from “negative” emotions and extreme states.
Other Drug Risks and Considerations
Understanding the coming off drugs process means taking into account many different factors you may not have considered before:
While not publicized widely by a culture dominated by pharmaceutical companies, alternative treatments, talk therapy, and even the placebo effect can often be more effective than psychiatric drugs, without the risks.
• Keeping up with taking pills every day is difficult for anyone. Missing doses of psychiatric drugs can be dangerous because of the withdrawal effects, making you vulnerable if the drug is interrupted.
• Doctors typically see patients infrequently for short visits, making it less likely to spot potentially serious adverse drug reactions.
• People with a mental disorder diagnosis frequently have difficulty getting insurance.
• Taking psychiatric drugs often means giving up control to the judgments of a doctor, who may not make the best decisions for you.
• Taking psychiatric drugs can mean being seen as mentally ill in society and starting to see yourself in that role. The stigma, discrimination, and prejudice can be devastating, and even create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Diagnostic labels cannot be stricken from the record the way criminal histories can. Studies show that trying to convince people that “mental illness is an illness like any other” is a counterproductive strategy that actually contributes to negative attitudes.
• Psychiatric drugs can convey the false view that “normal” experience is productive, happy, and well adjusted all the time, without mood shifts, bad days or suffering. This encourages a false standard of what it is to be human.
• Taking psychiatric drugs can put a passive hope in a “magic bullet” cure rather than taking personal and community responsibility for action to change.

Source: http://theicarusproject.net/downloads/ComingOffPsychDrugsHarmReductGuide1Edonline.pdf

Tags: ADHD drugs, drug effects, Health Risks, lithium, Mental Health Risks, Physical Health Risks, ritalin

Ritalin

admin — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:22:35 +0000

Ritalin (methylphenidate)

How does Ritalin work? What will it do for me?

Methylphenidate belongs to the family of medications known as stimulants. It is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (uncontrollable need to sleep) in children over 6 years old and adults. It helps to increase attention and decrease restlessness in children and adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD. Other measures (e.g., psychological, educational, and social therapies) are used along with methylphenidate as part of an overall treatment program for ADHD. This medication also helps to stimulate people with narcolepsy so that they do not fall asleep at inappropriate times.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
How should I use Ritalin?

The dose of methylphenidate needs to be individualized according to the needs of the person taking the medication. The dose is usually started low and increased gradually to the dose that works best for the person. The usual starting dose for this medication is 5 mg to 10 mg two or three times daily. Doses above 60 mg daily are not recommended. If symptoms worsen or if side effects occur, contact your doctor for further instruction. In many cases for children, the medication does not need to be continued after puberty.

Take methylphenidate with or shortly after a meal or snack.

If you are taking the SR tablets, swallow the medication whole and do not crush or split the tablets.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones above, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue on with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

This medication is available under multiple brand names and in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms listed here. The forms available for the specific brand you have searched are listed under “What form(s) does this medication come in?”

What form(s) does Ritalin come in?

10 mg
Each pale blue, round, flat-faced, beveled-edged tablet, scored and imprinted “AB” on one side with “CIBA” on the other, contains methylphenidate HCl 10 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, FD&C Green No. 3, lactose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, sugar and talc.

20 mg
Each pale yellow, round, flat-faced, beveled-edged tablet, scored and imprinted “PN” on one side with “CIBA” on the other, contains methylphenidate HCl 20 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: D&C Yellow No. 10, lactose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, sugar, tragacanth and talc.
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
Who should NOT take Ritalin?

Methylphenidate should not be taken by anyone who:
is allergic to methylphenidate or to any of the ingredients of the medication
is taking an monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine) or has taken one in the last 14 days
has advanced hardening of the arteries
has an overactive thyroid gland
has anxiety, tension, or agitation
has glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
has heart disease
has moderate-to-severe high blood pressure
has motor tics, Tourette’s syndrome, or a family history of Tourette’s syndrome
has pheochromocytoma (a condition that causes excess production of epinephrine and norepinephrine hormones)

What side effects are possible with Ritalin?

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
agitation, nervousness, or anxiety
diarrhea
dizziness or drowsiness
dry mouth
headache
heartburn
joint pain
loss of appetite
nausea or vomiting
skin rash or itching (mild)
stomach pain
trouble sleeping

Although most of the side effects listed below don’t happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
chest pain
confusion
hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not actually there) or abnormal thoughts or behaviour
increased blood pressure
muscle twitching or tics
palpitations (feeling your heart beat quickly or irregularly)
pinpoint-sized red spots on skin or unusual bruising
prickling or tingling sensations in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
sore throat and fever
sudden high fever
sweating
symptoms of depression (e.g., losing interest in your usual activities, feeling sad, having thoughts of suicide – see below)
symptoms of liver damage (e.g., yellow skin or eyes, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, pale stools, dark urine)
symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome (involuntary, sudden body movements or uncontrolled vocal outbursts)
vision changes

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
convulsions (seizures)
peeling or blistering of the skin
signs of a serious allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; hives; swelling of the face, lips, eyes, mouth, or throat)
thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for Ritalin?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Behaviour or mood changes: There have been reports of agitation, hallucinations, symptoms of depression, and thoughts of self-harm in people taking this medication. If you experience these types of symptoms while taking methylphenidate, contact your doctor immediately

Blood pressure: This medication may increase blood pressure. People with high blood pressure or heart problems talk to their doctor before taking this medication.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Methylphenidate may affect the mental or physical abilities needed to drive or operate machinery. People taking this medication are cautioned against undertaking these and other potentially hazardous activities until they determine if the medication affects them in this way.

Drug dependence: Abuse of methylphenidate is possible by certain individuals. This can lead to high levels of tolerance and psychological dependence, and a wide range of abnormal behaviours. People with a history of drug or alcohol dependence should be carefully monitored by their doctors while using this medication.

Epilepsy: There is some evidence that methylphenidate may increase the risk of seizures for people who have had seizures before.

Exercise: People participating in strenuous exercise or activities should consult their doctor before taking methylphenidate.

Heart problems: This medication can increase heart rate and blood pressure. It may also increase the risk of sudden death for people with heart problems. This medication should generally not be used by people with known heart problems, including an irregular heartbeat, known structural heart abnormalities (such as abnormal size, missing or poorly functioning heart valves, or problems with blood vessels connected to the heart), or a family history of sudden death related to heart disease.

Heart or brain circulation problems: People who have, or have a history of, heart or brain circulation problems should be closely monitored by their doctor while using this medication.

Long-term use: If you will be using this medication for a long period of time, you will need regular heart check-ups and lab tests to check your white blood cell counts.

Stopping the medication: Check with your doctor before stopping this medication.

Suppression of growth: Growth suppression (i.e., less increase in height or weight than usual) has been reported for children using stimulants such as methylphenidate for long periods of time. It is not known if the medication causes the growth suppression. However, children who need long-term therapy should be carefully monitored for growth. Their doctor may also recommend a “drug holiday,” where the medication is not given on weekends or during school holidays.

Vision: Rarely, people taking methylphenidate have experienced vision changes. If you notice any changes in your vision, contact your doctor.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children under 6 years old. Methylphenidate should not be used by children of this age group.
What other drugs could interact with Ritalin?

There may be an interaction between methylphenidate and any of the following:
alcohol
amphetamines (e.g., dextroamphetamine)
antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, imipramine, fluoxetine)
appetite suppressants (e.g., phentermine)
carbamazepine
clonidine
guanethidine
monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine)
methyldopa
other medications for ADHD
phenobarbital
phenytoin
primidone
sympathomimetic medications (e.g., epinephrine)
warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
stop taking one of the medications,
change one of the medications to another,
change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Source: http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/drug_info_details.asp?channel_id=0&relation_id=0&brand_name_id=971&page_no=1

Tags: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, methylphenidate, ritalin, stimulant

Psychiatric Drugs »» Antidepressants | Antipsychotics | Antianxiety | Antimanic Agents | Stimulants | Prescription Drugs » Tag: ritalin

What medications are used to treat ADHD?

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