| ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) | | | | In recent years the long acting or extended |
| have evolved from an obscure condition which | | | | release versions (ER or XR) have garnered favor |
| many in the medical community thought didn't | | | | across all demographics. They can be taken once |
| exist; to a condition that only exists in children; to | | | | a day and reduce the risk of forgetting, or |
| a condition that exist in children and adult men; to | | | | missing a dosage, leading to a condition known as |
| today where we know that ADHD affects | | | | discontinuation syndrome which produces such |
| children, adult men, and a large, and ever growing, | | | | troubling symptoms as irritability, dizziness, light |
| number of girls and women. Because of the | | | | headedness, sleep disturbances, and flu like |
| expansion of parameters surrounding both | | | | symptoms that can last for weeks. These longer |
| diagnosis and symptoms there has also been a | | | | lasting formulas also are helpful in reducing the |
| widening of the ADHD medication list. | | | | embarrassment factor, especially in adults who |
| Currently, the group that has reigned supreme for | | | | would prefer their co-workers, or boss, not know |
| over ten years continues to do so. Despite a | | | | they are taking ADHD management medications. |
| growing ADHD medication list stimulants with | | | | It is also important to point out that picking the |
| household names such as Ritalin, Adderall, | | | | right drug with the right dosage from the ADHD |
| Dextrostat, Dexedrine, Cylert, and Spansules still | | | | medication list when co-existing conditions are |
| dominate the ADHD medication list. | | | | present can be quite challenging. There are |
| Certainly, prescription stimulants have their | | | | currently no controlled studies to pull reference |
| detractors and produce their share of side | | | | from and your doctor must rely on his/her |
| effects but for the most part they do work. The | | | | experience combined with continual feedback |
| success rate varies from 60 to 80 percent | | | | from patients to formulate a best chance success |
| depending on the drug, situation, overlapping | | | | scenario treatment plan. |
| conditions, and age of the patient. | | | | For those struggling with ADHD finding an |
| You should also be aware that there aren't any | | | | effective treatment option is a good first step. As |
| magical fixes, rather a comprehensive treatment | | | | discussed above the most common prescription |
| approach that may involve multiple medications | | | | medications selected off of the ADHD medication |
| along with behavioral counseling lasting many | | | | list are Ritalin, Adderall and Cylert. While effective |
| years. Also, any drug from the ADHD medication | | | | all stimulant medications come with a number of |
| list should be closely monitored both for dosage | | | | serious label warnings. The risk of side effects, or |
| and overall effectiveness. Keep in mind these | | | | perhaps lack of success with stimulants, has |
| drugs attempt to balance neurotransmitter | | | | prompted many to investigate other options. A |
| activity (dopamine, norepinephrine) deep within the | | | | couple examples of this are behavior modification |
| brain and finding just the right dosage may require | | | | therapy and/or natural remedies. Natural remedies |
| some fine tuning. | | | | for ADHD are a side effect free way to address |
| Stimulant medication come in many different | | | | such problematic symptoms as inattention, |
| forms including capsules, pills, liquids, and skin | | | | distractibility, impulsivity, erratic behavior and |
| patches. They come in short acting, long acting, or | | | | hyperactivity and can be used both as a |
| extended release versions. While the active | | | | standalone treatment or as a compliment to other |
| ingredients are the same in any one the varieties, | | | | nonprescription alternatives. |
| the way they disperse in the body varies widely. | | | | |