Ritalin (Methylphenidate) Optimization
Ritalin Pills
Abstract:
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is currently the dominating psychiatric
disorder found in children. The creation of the drug Ritalin based on the molecule
Methylphenidate in the early 90’s sparked a widespread use of this psycho stimulant, which still
remains as one of the most popular drugs used to counteract the symptoms of ADHD. My
ultimate goal in this research project is to design analogs for the drug Ritalin in the hopes of
discovering a more effective version of this medication. Through research, it can be concluded
that none the analogs suggested are suitable candidates for new drugs based on the results.
Introduction:
With 3-5 percent of school children today diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD), ADHD has been reported to account for 50 percent of the child psychiatric
population seen at the clinic. Methylphenidate (figure 1)
serves as the dominant drug used in medications
counteracting the symptoms of ADHD. (1) Among those
medications, Ritalin is currently prescribed for daily use to
1.5 million school children in the United States, making it
one of the most widely used prescription medications
today. (2) The optimization of Ritalin is of utmost
importance and will therefore, be the topic of this project.
Scientists believe that ADHD is caused by an imbalance between dopaminergic,
noradrenergic and serotonergic neurotransmitter systems. However, this theory remains
questionable due to an insufficient amount of evidence. Methylphenidate’s mechanism of action,
Fig. 1: Methylphenidate
Molecular Structure
which is based on dopamine synaptic uptake inhibition,
essentially allows it to binds to ...
... middle of paper ...
... Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (1997) 29 July 2008
2) Ritalin: Fast Facts. Do It Now Foundation. 29 July 2008.
figure 1: United States Environmental Protection Agency. July 28 2008.
figure 2: Medscape. July 28 2008.
title picture: Wikimedia. July 28 2008.
figure 4: Wikipedia. July 28 2008. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ester-skeletal.png>
figure 5: Wikipedia. July 28 2008. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Aldimine-
%28primary%29-skeletal.png>
figure 8: Wikipedia. July 28 2008. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Carboxylic-acidskeletal.
svg>
ADHD is believed to be caused by abnormalities in the dopamine neurotransmitters in the brain (Berne 4). The symptoms of ADHD include inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity that are inappropriate for a person's age level. In other words, the patient’s brain is like a light constantly going off and on at the worst possible times. Although there is no cure for ADHD, treatment can help control symptoms. Stimulant therapy is the most commonly used type of treatment. These drugs improve ADHD symptoms in 70 percent of adults and 70-80 percent of children shortly after starting treatment (ADHD 3). Adderall RX, or its formal name of Methylphenidate, is the most common form of treatment for ADHD. In an article by Dr. Phillip W. Long, he states that, “The mode of action in man is not completely understood, but meth...
A central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, methylphenidate—more commonly known as Ritalin—is drug prescribed in the treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) ((1)). AD/HD, by definition, is "developmentally inappropriate behavior, including poor attention skills, impulsivity, and hyperactivity" sustained for more than 6 months, appearing usually during childhood2 ((2)). Figures estimate an approximate 3-5% of children are affected by the disorder. Differing views, however, exist about the legitimacy of the majority of these diagnoses. In light of this, the object of this assessment is to examine the bodily and societal implications of methylphenidate.
United States. National Institute of Mental Health. “Mental Health Medications.” 2008. Health and Education. Web. 16 Nov. 2013
...disease so the active children can take a pill. Ritalin is given to children so the parents can handle their over-committed lives. Ritalin is given to children so teachers can better manage their overcrowded classrooms. Ritalin is given to children by doctors to pacify screaming parents who are convinced there is something wrong with their energetic kids. Ritalin is for the adults medicating themselves through their children. Ritalin is given to the wrong patient.
ADHD and other disorders. In this paper I will prove that ADHD is over diagnosed
One of the main treatments for ADHD is the use of medication. Primarily the main medication used is stimulants such as amphetamines. Amphetamines have been used in this treatment due to its effects of reducing the symptoms of ADHD such as behavior and irritability (Hodgkins, Shaw, McCarthy, Sallee, 2012). A major concern though with the use of amphetamines is...
There has been an increase in the Misuse and Abuse of prescription drugs to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). the number of children on medication for ADHD has grown from 600,000 in 1990 to 3.5 million in 2013 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But although there is an over-medication of ADHD drugs, there is actually and under-medication since not all the right people are getting medicated. Many individuals lack insurance or are insured with health plans that do not cover the outpatient prescription drugs they need and cannot afford.10 Therefore, Individuals covered by various health plans and programs, and those who have no prescription drug coverage, pay significantly different prices for the same medications. As the demand for ADHD drugs grows, higher prescribing rates and increasing drug prices result, which creates problems for these number of Americans who cannot afford the treatment they require.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the most widely diagnosed “mental-illness” in children in the United States today, and approximately 99% of children diagnosed are prescribed daily doses of methylphenidate in order to control undesirable behaviors. (Stolzer)
Attention Deficit with hyper activity Disorder commonly known as ADHD is classified as a disruptive behavior disorder usually diagnosed in childhood. ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavior disorder of childhood. It appears to be more common in boys than it is girls. This Disorder is more common in boys than in girls and approximately five in one hundred children are affected (Busing). There are three subtypes: Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, predominantly inattentive, combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive (most children have the combined type of ADHD)(nimh.nih.gov).The age of onset of ADHD is usually in preschool to early elementary school years.
U.S. Heath News reported (2013) that 6.4 million children ages 4 to 17 have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Since 2007, the utilization of stimulant medication to treat ADHD has jumped 11% nationally as a whole. It was also reported that the U.S. spends more on prescription drugs to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder than it does for all but six other medical conditions (U.S. News Health, 2013). The number of ADHD diagnosed teens prescribed stimulants, such as Ritalin and Adderall, will be increasing over time as the new guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics now recognizes physicians prescribing ADHD stimulant medications to childre...
All psychological and psychiatric organizations accept ADHD as a real disorder. It is known to be the most common disorder in adolescent children and teenagers. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is a real disease linked to changes in production of the brain chemical dopamine. 6.4 million kids ages four to seventeen have been diagnosed with ADHD since 2011. Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are signs and symptoms that the diagnosis is based off of. This disease has three subtypes. The subtypes include predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive impulsive, and lastly combined. There are three main causes of this disease that include genetics, environment, and development.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder that causes children to have problems with paying attention, trouble with following instructions, have impulsive behaviors and become easily distracted. Medications, such as Adderall and Ritalin, are used to treat the symptoms of this disorder by helping the patient to focus and pay attention while also curbing their impulsive behavior and hyperactivity. Side effects of these medications are, but not limited to, anxiety, addiction and in some cases psychosis. Proponents of giving ADHD medication to children argue that ADHD is a real disorder in children and the medication does improve the symptoms of the disorder by a large margin as well as being cost effective. Also, not only are the parents happy with the outcome of their children taking the prescribed medication but so are the children themselves. Proponents also argue that by not letting parents of the children, young adults and adults choose to take these prescriptions when diagnosed with ADHD that the medical and psychiatric communities would be in violation of the principle of autonomy. Justice as well would be violated since most of the burden of dealing with all the symptoms caused by this disorder would fall onto those with ADHD and partly on their families. Opponents of giving ADHD medication to children point out that it is not only going to children with ADHD but also being prescribed to those not diagnosed with the disorder as well as the pills being given or sold to other children and young adults. They also claim that the full side effects of ADHD medication are still not known and could have harmful long- lasting side effects on the children taking the medications. In this case, the princip...
Stimulant drugs are widely used to treat the symptoms of ADHD. These stimulants dramatically reduce the hyperactivity of sufferers and improve their ability to focus, learn and work. Such medication may also improve physical coordination, for instance handwriting and sports. Research completed by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suggests that these medicines may also help children with an accompanying conduct disorder to control their impulsive, destructive behaviours. The three medications that have been proven by the NIMH to be most effective in both children and adults suffering from ADHD are: methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine or Dextrostat), and pemoline (Cylert). (NIMH 1999) Yet there is currently much research on the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, such as t...
Janssen, Cecile. How FDA and 23andMe Dance Around Evidence That Is Not There. The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 27 Jan. 2014.