Attention deficit syndrome, treatment

Amphetamines (speed sulph, sulphate, uppers, wake-ups, billy whizz, whizz, whites, base) are synthetic stimulants which as medicines have been formed into a variety of tablets. Their current medical use is very limited and in fact only dexamphetamine sulphate, Dexedrine, is now available for use solely in the treatment of narcolepsy. The only other amphetamine available for medical use is methylphenidate (Ritalin) for the treatment of attention deficit syndrome in children. As a street drug, amphetamine usually comes as a white, grey, yellowish or pinky powder. The purity rate of street powders is less than 10%, the rest being made up of milder stimulants such as caffeine, other drugs such as paracetamol or substances like glucose, dried baby milk, flour or talcum powder. 

Amphetamine a, P, CNS As CNS stimulant in treatment of children with attention deficit syndrome... 

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) For the treatment of ADHD in patients 6 years of age and older. Dexmethylphenidate is indicated as an integral part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include other measures (eg, psychological, educational, social) for patients with this syndrome. Drug treatment may not be indicated for all patients. Stimulants are not intended for use in the patient who exhibits symptoms secondary to environmental factors or other primary psychiatric disorders, including psychosis. 

The therapeutic indications for the psychomotor stimulants are quite limited. They are beneficial in the treatment of the hyperkinetic syndrome (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder with minimal brain dysfunction). This is generally a childhood disease characterized by hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, and impulsive behavior. Amphetamines and the more extensively used methylphenidate paradoxically are quite effective in calming a large proportion of children with this disorder. Pemoline Cylert) is also used in the treatment of attention deficit disorder with hyperkinetic behavior. The mechanism by which these compounds are effective in this disorder is not known. 

Unlabeled Uses Treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, behavioral syndromes in dementia... 

Chappell, P.B., Riddle, M.A., Scahill, L., Lynch, K.A., Schultz, R., Arnsten, A., Leckman, J.E, and Cohen, D.J. (1995) Guanfacine treatment of comorbid attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and Tourette s syndrome preliminary clinical experience. / Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 34 1140—1146. 

Singer, S., Brown, J., Quaskey, S., Rosenberg, L., Mellits, E., and Denckla, M. (1994) The treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in tourette s syndroms a double-blind placebo-... 

Spencer, X, Biederman, J., Kerman, K., Steingard, R., and Wilens, X (1993a) Desipramine in the treatment of children with tic disorder or Xourette s syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 32 354-360. 

PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER IN INDIVIDUALS WITH TOURETTE S SYNDROME... 

Spencer T, Biederman J, Wilens T, et al. Nortriptyline treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and tic disorder or Tourette s syndrome. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1993 32 205-210. 

Singer HS, Quaskey S, Rosenberg LA, et al. The treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Tourette s syndrome a double blind placebo controlled study with clonidine and desipramine. Pediatrics 1995 95 74-81. 

Chappell PB, Riddle MA, Scahill L, et al. Guanfacine treatment of comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Tourette s syndrome preliminary clinical experience. J Am Acad Child Psychiatry 1995 34 1140-1146. 

In terms of approved medical use, the neuroleptics are often prescribed for children with autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Tourette s syndrome. In addition, the popularity of the newer atypical neuroleptics for childhood bipolar disorder is growing rapidly, and sometimes these drugs are the only treatment offered. The neuroleptics are also commonly prescribed for the elderly in nursing homes or other insti-... 

Neuroleptic drugs have been prescribed for children in the treatment of psychotic disorders, Tourette s syndrome, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, behavioral and psychiatric complications of mental retardation, and pervasive developmental disorders, for example infantile autism (580,581). 

Antidepressants tend to provide a more sustained and continuous improvement of the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder than do the stimulants and do not induce tics or other abnormal movements sometimes associated with stimulants. Indeed, desipramine and nortriptyhne may effectively treat tic disorders, either in association with the use of stimulants or in patients with both attention deficit disorder and Tourette s syndrome. Antidepressants also are leading choices in the treatment of severe anxiety disorders, including panic disorder with agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, as weU as for the common comorbidity of anxiety in depressive illness. Antidepressants, especially SSRIs, also are employed in the management of posttraumatic stress disorder, which is marked by anxiety, startle, painful recollection of the traumatic events, and disturbed sleep. Initially, anxious patients often tolerate nonsedating antidepressants poorly (Table 17-1), requiring slowly increased doses. Their beneficial actions typically are delayed for several weeks in anxiety disorders, just as they are in major depression. 

Drug treatment of childhood psychosis and other behavioral disorders of children is confused by diagnostic inconsistencies and a paucity of controlled trials. Antipsychotics can benefit children with disorders characterized by features that occur in adult psychoses, mania, autism, or Tourette s syndrome. Low doses of the more potent or modem atypical agents usually are preferred in an attempt to avoid interference with daytime activities or performance in school. Attention deficit disorder, with or without hyperactivity, responds poorly to antipsychotic agents, but... 

Amphetamine is a prescription stimulant used in the treatment of ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) and chronic fatigue syndrome. During World War II it was used heavily by soldiers to reduce fatigue and increase alertness. Draw the enantiomer of amphetamine. 

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