Stimulant Medications for ADHD

The two chemical levels in children’s brains are raised by the finest ADHD medications for kids. Dopamine and norepinephrine are the names given to these chemicals. When used sparingly, they help kids focus. These medications are known as stimulants, and they come in a wide range of forms. Some have a 12-hour half-life, while others have a short half-life and wear off in a few hours. Most kids with ADHD will benefit from using a stimulant medication. 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 teenagers think, “Well, if it’s good at this dose, more will be even better.” No, it won’t. 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.

Effectiveness of medications

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.

Stimulant Medication Charts

Obtain charts that compare ADHD stimulant medications based on their duration of action and form (liquid, pill, capsule, or patch).

Methylphenidate medications

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.

Long-acting formulas

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 must be swallowed whole, which could be challenging for certain kids. It is available in triple release: Since the medication is first applied externally, its effects will become apparent in ten to fifteen minutes. The push compartment is filled with a polymer fiber that expands like a sponge when it gets wet, and the drug is pushed out via a laser hole on one end of the compartment. The pill is not digested in its whole.

The beads in Ritalin-LA are also dispersed 50/50, which means that half will be administered immediately, peaking in the morning, and the other half will be released 30 minutes later, for a duration of six to eight hours. As a result, your two-phase effect on attention and focus is noticeably stronger.

Aptensio XR and Focalin XR are medication capsules that can be opened and mixed with food. They typically persist longer than Ritalin LA or MetadateCD.

Quillichew ER is a chewable form of methylphenidate that has an eight-hour half-life.

The patch

And then there’s Daytrana, also known as the methylphenidate patch. Because the hip has less muscle than other parts of the body and will allow the medication to enter the bloodstream more quickly, the patch works as a drug carpet enclosed in glue. To apply it, remove the liner.

Typically, children aren’t as enthusiastic. Some kids find it offensive when adults wear patches. They’ll succeed since many kids with ADHD are tactile learners. Additionally, once you remove it, it remains off. Some college students I know, meanwhile, like the patch since it frees them from having to remember to take their prescription later in the day and lets them 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.

Amphetamine medications

Adderall, Evekeo, Zenzedi, and Dexedrine are short-acting amphetamines that take effect 30 to 45 minutes after ingesting them 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.

Long-acting formulas

Like methylphenidate, a number of amphetamine preparations have been created that release the medication gradually, extending the duration of the medication’s useful life. This is quite beneficial when attempting to provide a response that spans the full school day, or around six to eight hours. Some of these ingredients begin to function almost as quickly as the short-acting forms of these medications.

Adderall XR, the more potent form, is meant to last ten to twelve hours. It’s a capsule that contains 50/50 beads, which release half of them at once and the other half gradually. You can crack open the capsule and mix the beads into your food.