Knowing the Brands
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While there are seemingly countless options, it is most
important that you have a basic knowledge of the more commonly prescribed medications for ADD. In addition,
because everyone’s body is different, you should also be aware of the potential
side effects of each one. Before listing different options, it must be noted
that there are two major categories of medications
for ADD: stimulants and non-stimulants. Stimulants typically utilize some
sort of amphetamine or methylphenidate, whereas non-stimulants can be anything
from an antidepressant to a blood pressure medication. This dichotomy is
something that you need to contemplate – a great aversion to stimulants is
pretty common. Without further ado, here are some of the more most-prescribed medications for ADD:
·
Adderall: An amphetamine stimulant, it is
fast-acting unless you opt for extended release. Fast-acting will probably mean
you take the pill more than once daily. Probably the most common ADD medication
out there. Side effects include weight loss, sleep problems, irritability, and
loss of appetite.
·
Wellbutrin: Very popular amongst non-stimulant medications for ADD. Comes in any
measure of release up to 24 hours. Side effects include increased risk of
seizure, headaches, and sleep problems.
·
Vyvanse: Another amphetamine stimulant. Vyvanse
is actually a prodrug, which means that it is completely inactive until your
body metabolizes it, improving the way it is absorbed and distributed. It lasts about twice as long as Adderall. Side effects include: loss of appetite, weight
loss, irritability, and sleep deprivation.
·
Concerta: A methylphenidate stimulant, which
aids attentiveness by increasing dopamine levels in the brain rather than heart
rate and blood pressure, like an amphetamine. It lasts 10-12 hours and side
effects include loss of appetite, weight loss, sleep issues, and irritability.
·
Clonidine: Another non-stimulant, this is one of
the blood pressure pills used as medications
for ADD. Tablets last 4 to 6 hours on average, and side effects include
dizziness, irritability, behavior problems, low blood pressure, and dry mouth.
·
Strattera: Non-stimulant that is extremely
long-acting (up to 24 hours). Side effects include anxiety, dizziness, dry
mouth, fatigue, sleep problems, and rarely liver damage or suicidal thoughts.
·
Ritalin: Although it is not as commonly
prescribed any longer, we could not list medications without including Ritalin
– which was one of the first market entrants. Ritalin is still used, however,
and is a short-acting methylphenidate stimulant lasting between 3 and 4 hours.
This will likely require re-dosing, and common side effects include loss of
appetite, irritability, sleep problems, and weight loss.
Beyond Pharmaceuticals
Now being familiar with some of the more common medications for ADD, it is time you
also became aware of some alternative treatments on the periphery that are
actually quite successful. One, in particular, is quite dynamic: Neurofeedback.
A form of biofeedback specifically dealing with the brain, neurofeedback is a
way for doctors and patients to learn about the problem individually and
systemically then use this information to defeat the disorder. Designed to set
up patients for long-term success against ADD, everything is done noninvasively
and painlessly. The ultimate goal of neurofeedback is to teach the brain to
self-regulate by sensing and normalizing brainwave patterns that have gotten
out of whack. This, in turn, should exponentially improve concentration and
focus, along with some other undesirable behaviorisms. This lofty goal is
accomplished through a series of guided brain exercises, usually taking the
form of a movie or video game. Best of all, unlike some of our “wonder drugs”
even, the research is there to back it up: neurofeedback has shown to be an
effective intervention against ADD and has been declared totally safe by the
FDA.
NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY FOR ADD
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