How does ritalin help adhd

However, there are reports from patients with ADD who seem to feel that there is a difference between the two. These patients claim that name brand Ritalin is more effective for them or their child than the generic version.

These claims, however, have not been validated through any clinical trials or other research. Whether these differences are caused by the medications or by a placebo effect among patients is unclear. Other patients report finding no difference and use methylphenidate as their medication of choice. Some side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:.

Less common : Dizziness; drowsiness; headache; nausea ; stomach pain. Less Common : Black, tarry stools; blood in urine of stools; chest pain; fever; joint pain; pinpoint red spots on skin; skin rash or hives; uncontrolled movements of the body; unusual bleeding or bruising. Rare : Blurred vision or any change in vision; uncontrolled vocal outbursts and tics uncontrolled and repeated body movements.

They also reduce impulsive behavior, which is another hallmark of ADHD. They also share the same side effects.

However, they have important differences. They work by increasing the availability of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine in your CNS connections. This speeds up your brain activity. Ritalin works sooner and reaches peak performance more quickly than Adderall does. However, Adderall stays active in your body longer than Ritalin does. Adderall works for four to six hours.

Ritalin is only active for two to three hours. Some people prefer the shorter-acting Ritalin because they can better control the timing of side effects, such as loss of appetite and trouble sleeping. Adderall and Ritalin are brand-name drugs that are also available as generic drugs. Generic forms tend to cost less than the brand-name versions. In general, Adderall and Ritalin cost about the same. The amount you pay for the drugs will depend on your health insurance plan.

Some health insurance plans only cover the generic versions of the drugs. Adderall and Ritalin are usually available at most pharmacies. However, these drugs can have shortages, so they may not be available at all times. Background: dopamine and decisions Every person has a slightly different base level of dopamine, but high or low — no single dopamine level is inherently better than another.

An active, high-dopamine person may take fulfilling, happiness-boosting risks but may also be more prone to injury; a risk-averse, low-dopamine person may avoid injuries and disappointments but may also miss out on adventures. In other words, most people can trust their natural dopamine levels to guide them toward the right decisions. Of course, previous experiments have made it clear that many people with particularly low dopamine levels — including those who are diagnosed with depression or ADHD — can benefit from dopamine-boosting stimulant medications.

But those medications are never certain to improve the lives of those who are healthy and who choose to use them recreationally.

Doing so could, in fact, lead some to make poorer decisions, because when you raise dopamine in someone who already has a high dopamine level, every decision seems like it has benefit, which could distract from the real beneficial tasks.

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Breathing problems should always be considered a medical emergency. When you first start taking Ritalin, you might experience improved mood, and almost a sense of euphoria. This can translate to everyday physical activities being easier to accomplish.

In the long term, Ritalin can cause musculoskeletal complications when misused or taken in too large of doses. Males who take Ritalin may experience painful and prolonged erections. If you're actively managing your ADHD, you're likely interested in improving your confidence and enhancing how you interact with the world. We'll show…. Some people swear by working out on an empty stomach, called fasted cardio, as a quick and effective way to lose fat.

Want to know how to reduce stress naturally? I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis IC , a painful bladder disorder, when I was 16 and followed a strict recommended diet to keep my pain down. You could be feeling tired in the morning for any number of reasons, from not getting enough sleep to dehydration. Here are 13 ways to get your energy…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Effects of Ritalin on the Body. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.

Share on Pinterest. The effects of Ritalin on the body. Central nervous system.