Methylphenidate: What Is It And What Is It Used For?
Methylphenidate is a medicine prescribed by doctors to treat ADHD. It is also used to treat postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome as well as narcolepsy. However, doctors may also prescribe it as a normal treatment for immune fatigue and depression.
History of methylphenidate
The use of stimulants for the symptomatic treatment of narcolepsy dates back to the 1930s, when doctors began prescribing ephedrine and amphetamines to patients. Thanks to clinical trials, experts later found significant progress in overactive children who used amphetamines (especially benzedrine) .
During World War II in 1944, methylphenidate was first synthesized by experts. Many experts experimented with different chemical variants of amphetamine during the war to find molecules with similar properties that, however, had fewer or fewer side effects. The methylphenidate patent appeared in 1954. This drug had fewer neurovegetative side effects compared to other drugs in the same class.
Use of methylphenidate
Methylphenidate belongs to the class of combinations having a piperidine structure. It increases the amount of dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain with its ability to prevent the reuptake of similar monoamine transporters.
Methylphenidate has a similar structure to amphetamine. However, it is not neurotoxic. It therefore has no similar effects. We will now tell you more about the diseases for which this drug is intended.
Activity and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD)
Disorder of activity and attention is a neurobiological disease that begins in childhood. It affects more than 5% of the world’s children. Experts do not yet know the exact cause of the disease. However, they are considering the possibility that this is a combination of several different risk factors working together.
Although the exact cause is not known, experts came to the conclusion that heritage and environmental factors have a major impact on its development. Disorder of activity and attention has a 76% chance of being hereditary.
As for the symptoms inherent in this disease, we can mention three core symptoms:
- Lack of attention
- Overactivity
- Impulsiveness
In order for these symptoms to be associated with ADHD, they must meet certain conditions:
- They must appear before the age of seven.
- Symptoms must continue over time, for at least six months.
- They should affect two or more aspects of a child’s life.
- The symptoms must have a significant effect, significantly impairing the child’s performance.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
This syndrome is characterized by dizziness or fainting. It occurs when the autonomic nervous system is not functioning properly.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome prevents blood vessels from narrowing, ensuring an adequate amount of blood flowing to the brain. Thus, in an attempt to maintain cerebral blood volume to ensure proper brain function, the autonomic nervous system causes the heart to beat more and causes tachycardia.
This disease, which can be treated with methylphenidate, can occur after a viral infection or injury. However, it is really difficult to know if any of these conditions are the underlying cause of this disease. Experts are currently investigating the matter to better understand the cause of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.
Narcolepsy
It is difficult for people with narcolepsy to stay awake for long periods of time, regardless of the circumstances.
Just as with the other two diseases we mentioned above, experts still do not know the exact cause of narcolepsy. However, patients with this disease tend to have low hypocretin levels. This substance in the brain helps regulate the rhythm of sleep and wakefulness.
Summary
Methylphenidate is a prescription drug used primarily to treat a disorder of activity and alertness. However, it is also prescribed by doctors to treat other diseases, as we mentioned above.
You should follow the recommendations of your doctor and pharmacist, as methylphenidate is a medicine that has serious side effects. Its misuse can have serious health effects.
