ADHD, which stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both adults and children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders occurring during childhood and adulthood. The person suffering from this disorder faces difficulty in focusing, paying attention, controlling impulsive behavior, or trouble in staying organized. With the increase in cases of ADHD, the ways of treatment have also expanded. ADHD and its medications are very vast but in this blog, we will particularly be discussing the best ADHD medication For Adults.
What is ADHD, its Causes, and Symptoms?
Medications play a very important role in any disease, disorder, etc., and the same thing applies to ADHD. It helps people to manage the symptoms to improve their abilities to interact, focus, and diagnose this disorder. As per a report of some studies, an estimated eight million adults in the United States (US) are facing this disorder and among them, only 20% of them are able to fight this by receiving treatment, and a quarter (1/4) of them are still searching for help.
Causes of ADHD:
The exact cause of ADHD is not clear yet, but according to some healthcare experts, the combination of hereditary and environmental factors may be involved in causing it. Gene factors may be also responsible for causing this disorder. Consumption of alcohol and smoking are the most common environmental factors that lead to the development of ADHD. Any untimely delivery during pregnancy may also cause this.
Symptoms of ADHD:
The most common symptoms of ADHD are Inattention, Impulsivity, and Hyperactivity.
- Inattention: Facing difficulty in paying attention or being unable to focus.
- Hyperactivity: Talking very much or having too much energy.
- Impulsivity: Taking action without thinking about the result or difficulty in handling self-control.
Best Medications for Adults with ADHD:
The prescription of medications for either children or adults suffering from ADHD is likely to be the same. However, in the case of children, it may differ when getting aged. As their brains grow, symptoms may also seem to be different with their age.
So here we are going to bring some most beneficial medications for ADHD which are medically analyzed and reviewed by some healthcare professionals. Let’s dive in.
Basically, these medicines are characterized into two classes:
- Stimulants
- Non-Stimulants
We will consider both classes thoroughly.
Stimulants:
Stimulants have turned to become the priority of any doctor/physician to diagnose ADHD. These stimulants are also known by another name Psychostimulants. These kinds of chemicals work in the process of slowing down the neurotransmitters of the brain and absorption of dopamine. Escalating the availability of these chemicals in the brain, the communication and effectiveness of the brain passages work more efficaciously with each other. These are prescription-only drugs and they have a rapid effect. These drugs are habit-forming and have the possibility of misuse as they are unified substances.
Mentioned below is a list of some most common stimulants, their components, dosage strengths, etc., which are used in the treatment of ADHD:
Concerta:
This stimulant contains methylphenidate and is designed to have a duration of 12-hour effect. It is available in the form of oral tablets having dosage strengths of:
Adderall:
Ingredients available in this drug are Dextroamphetamine and Amphetamine and it is a combination of these two components. This medicine comes in two varieties which are Adderall IR (Immediate Release) and Adderall XR (Extended Release). IR is available in the form of an oral tablet whereas, XR is available in the form of a capsule. IR lasts for approx 4-6 hours and on the other hand, XR lasts for up to 12 hours. The standard dosage strength of this drug ranges from Adderall 5 mg White Tablet to Orange AD 20 mg Pills. Adderall takes around 30 minutes to an hour to show proper effect.
Dexedrine:
The active ingredient which is available in this drug is dextroamphetamine. Short-acting and long-acting forms are the two kinds of Dexedrine. The long-acting form is also known as Dexedrine Spansule. This medicine comes in the form of oral tablets (short-acting form) and capsules (long-acting form). The dosage strength of this capsule can range from Dexedrine 5 mg up to 60 mg. The efficacy of the tablet may stay for 4-6 hours while Spansule may be effective for 8-12 hours.
Focalin:
The component found in this drug is dexmethylphenidate. Like Adderall, it also comes in two forms IR and XR and the length of effect is almost similar. It comes in the form of oral capsules with various dosage strengths like 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg, 30 mg, 35 mg, and 40 mg.
Ritalin:
As similar to Concerta this drug also contains methylphenidate. This drug can also be considered as the companion of Concerta. Ritalin is available in tablet form. The average dosage strength of this drug is 5 mg – 60 mg. It is not advised to consume more than 60 mg a day. The two most used doses of the medicine are Ritalin 10mg and 20 mg Ritalin.
Vyvanse:
Lisdexamfetamine is involved in Vyvanse. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) can also be cured with the help of Vyvanse. Chewable tablets and capsules are available forms of this drug. The typical starting dose for this drug is 30 mg and a maximum dosage limit shall be 70 mg.
Non-Stimulants:
Non-stimulants are specially prescribed for those who don’t get the perfect result from stimulant drugs or are facing adverse reactions. Most commonly recommended non-stimulants may be considered for those who have a drug abuse history and if the person is suffering from some kind of heart condition like hypertension or any cardiovascular disease.
The possibility of drug abuse with non-stimulants is almost zero. In comparison to stimulants, non-stimulants don’t have the potential for misuse. On the other hand, the efficacy of non-stimulants is very low because of their slower onset.
Here’s a list of some often used non-stimulant medications for ADHD with their components, strength, etc.:
Strattera:
The active ingredient available in this drug is atomoxetine. It is also known as the first non-stimulant medication which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Strattera is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor which is an antidepressant group. Some common side effects of Strattera are lack of appetite and sleepiness. It is available in the form of capsules with various dosage strengths namely:
- 10 mg of Strattera
- 18mg of Strattera Pills
- 25 mg Strattera
- Strattera 40 mg
- 60 mg Strattera Capsule
- 80 mg Strattera
- 100 mg of Strattera Medicine
Intuniv:
This non-stimulant contains guanfacine. It is a non-stimulant selective Alpha 2A – Adrenergic Receptor Agonist for ADHD. It is available as oral tablets. This drug has a dosage strength of 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, and 4 mg.
Kapvay:
The ingredient available in this drug is clonidine. Kapvay comes in the form of oral tablets with two strengths 0.1 mg and 0.2 mg as an extended-release form. The basic usage of this drug is for hypertension but may be used to treat ADHD as it may also reduce hyperactivity.
Wellbutrin:
This drug consists of bupropion and is often prescribed off-label for adults dealing with ADHD. Like some stimulants, this non-stimulant also comes in two forms Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL. Here, SR stands for Sustained Release and XR for Extended Release. Both are long-acting and come in the form of oral tablets. SR has a dosage strength of 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg whereas XL is available in two strengths 150 mg and 300 mg.
Qelbree:
The component of this drug is viloxazine. It is available in the market as oral capsules. The dosage strengths of this non-stimulant are 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg. The efficacy of this dose lasts for 7 hours.
Note: Dosage may vary as per doctor’s recommendation.
Summary:
ADHD is a disorder in which a person can lose his/her attentiveness. However, this type of attention disorder can be treated with the help of the above-mentioned medicines. Various medications are available for ADHD in the market.
However, the best medication totally depends upon the symptoms, condition, response to drugs, etc., of the person. Choose the medicine prescribed by your doctor and consume it as suggested by him.
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