Definition
ADHD ( A ttention D eficit H yperactivity D isorder) - better known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - is a disorder of the neuropsychic development of children and adolescents. As can be seen from its very name, this disorder is characterized by inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity .
ADHD occurs in children and adolescents who, in some cases, continue to show symptoms even in adulthood.
Currently, it is possible to distinguish three different clinical forms of the disorder: inattentive, overactive and combined. Patients with ADHD, in the course of their lives, may experience all the above clinical forms in succession.
Causes
The exact cause of ADHD unfortunately is not yet known. However, several studies have shown that children with ADHD have functional alterations of specific areas of the central nervous system, at the level of which the mechanisms underlying inhibition and self-control are regulated.
However, in the development of ADHD there is also the influence of a certain genetic component, which is associated with exogenous risk factors (such as, for example, any complications during childbirth, consumption of alcohol or tobacco by the mother during pregnancy, etc.).
Symptoms
The main symptoms of ADHD are the same as those used to characterize the disorder, namely inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Patients with ADHD, in fact, are easily distractible, have poor concentration, are impulsive, make decisions without thinking, are hyperactive and struggle to remain still.
It is important to emphasize that this symptomatology is not due to any kind of mental retardation, but rather to an objective difficulty in self-control.
Information on ADHD Treatment Medicines - Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Medications for ADHD Treatment - Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity.
drugs
There are basically two drugs for treating ADHD: methylphenidate (a psychostimulant) and atomoxetine (a non-psychostimulant active ingredient). The first of these active ingredients, however, appears to be the first choice in the treatment of the disorder.
In addition to drug therapy, patients with ADHD may also undergo psycho-behavioral supportive therapies, or combined therapies (ie, drug therapies in association with psycho-behavioral therapies).
However, before resorting to pharmacological treatment, psycho-behavioral therapy is usually undertaken. If this does not produce the desired effects, the doctor may decide to subject the patient to drug treatment.
methylphenidate
Methylphenidate (Ritalin®) is the drug of first choice for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years. It is a molecule with psychostimulant and nootropic activity, capable of improving attention and concentration, while reducing the impulsive behavior of patients suffering from this syndrome.
Methylphenidate is available for oral administration as modified-release tablets and hard capsules.
The dose of medication to be taken should be determined by the doctor on an individual basis. However, it is necessary not to exceed the maximum dose of 60 mg of methylphenidate per day.
Depending on the pharmaceutical form used, the drug can be taken in a single dose, or in divided doses throughout the day.
Finally, it is important to remember that methylphenidate should not be used for the treatment of ADHD in adults and children under six years of age.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine (Strattera®) is another active ingredient indicated in the treatment of ADHD, which can be used in pediatric patients over six years of age, in adolescents and in adult patients.
Atomoxetine is a selective inhibitor of noradrenaline reuptake, capable of improving attention and reducing impulsivity and hyperactivity of ADHD patients. However, the exact mechanism by which this occurs is still not entirely clear.
However, atomoxetine is available for oral administration in the form of capsules or oral solution.
The dose usually used in children and adolescents with body weight up to 70 kg is 0.5-1.2 mg / kg per day. In adolescents with a body weight above 70 kg, however, the usual dose is 40-80 mg a day.
Finally, the dose of atomoxetine usually used in adults is 80-100 mg a day.
Modafinil
Modafinil (Provigil®) is actually a nootropic drug used in the treatment of narcolepsy. However, in some cases, it has been used as an off-label drug for the treatment of ADHD, allowing satisfactory results to be obtained in controlling the symptoms of the disease. In particular, modafinil appears to be able to increase the cognitive functions of patients suffering from this syndrome.
However, its use in the treatment of ADHD has not been officially approved and is at the discretion of the attending physician.
