Email Print   Text Size
Medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Medications don't cure ADHD. They ease symptoms for a few hours, but the symptoms come back when the medicine wears off. © iStockphoto.com/Selahattin Bayram
Medications don't cure ADHD. They ease symptoms for a few hours, but the symptoms come back when the medicine wears off. © iStockphoto.com/Selahattin Bayram

By Lila Havens, Staff Writer, myOptumHealth

Content provided by
 

Medication is the cornerstone of treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The drugs can reduce hyperactive and impulsive behavior and improve attention and focus. This can often help a child do better in school and may improve self-esteem.

Medications don't cure ADHD. They ease symptoms for a few hours, but the symptoms come back when the medicine wears off. Along with medication, experts recommend behavioral therapy, counseling and parent support. This can help parents and children become aware of problem behaviors and learn ways to deal with them.

What medications are used to treat ADHD?

The main medications used to treat ADHD are the stimulant medicines. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate) and amphetamine-based medications (Adderall, Dexedrine). Experts believe stimulants affect the level of dopamine, a brain chemical involved in motivation, attention and movement.

Stimulants are started at a low dose and gradually increased over 3 or 4 weeks. The goal is to find the dose that provides the most benefits while causing the fewest side effects.

ADHD medications don't work equally well for everyone. Some need to try two or three different drugs to find the one that works best for them.

These medications come in short-acting and long-acting forms. Short-acting forms last about 4 hours and may need to be taken two or three times a day. Many people prefer the long-acting forms, which are taken once a day and work for 8 to 12 hours.

What other medicines can treat ADHD?

Stimulants work for most kids who try them. If they don't, a nonstimulant medication called atomoxetine (Strattera) can be tried. Strattera is long-acting and may work for up to 24 hours. But it may not reduce hyperactivity as well as a stimulant.

Some other medicines, such as antidepressants, may be used instead of or along with stimulant medications or Straterra.

What are the side effects of ADHD medications?

Side effects are usually minor and can be reduced by lowering the dose. Often, side effects get better as the child adjusts to the medication.

  • The most common side effects of stimulant medications include weight loss, decreased appetite, headache and trouble sleeping.
  • The most common side effects of Strattera include upset stomach, decreased appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness and tiredness.

Serious side effects are uncommon but possible. They include:

  • Heart-related problems, including sudden death in people who have underlying heart defects or diseases. Stimulant medications should not be used by anyone with heart problems.
  • Liver injury. Strattera has been linked to liver injury. Call your doctor right away if your child has symptoms of liver injury, which include itching, right upper belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin or eyes and unexplained flu-like symptoms.
  • Suicidal thoughts. Strattera and antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts. Children and teens taking Strattera and anyone up to age 24 taking antidepressants should be watched closely for mood and behavior changes that might indicate suicidal thoughts.
  • Psychiatric problems such as delusional thinking, hallucinations or aggressive or hostile behavior. Call the doctor right away if someone taking ADHD medications sees or hears things that are not real, believes things that are not real, or becomes suspicious.

Be sure to carefully read the Medication Guide that comes with each medication. 

Some people worry that stimulants may cause addiction or raise the risk of substance abuse. When taken as prescribed, these medications have not been shown to cause addiction or lead to substance abuse. In fact, studies suggest that teens with ADHD who take medication may be less likely to use or abuse alcohol or drugs than those with ADHD who aren't treated.

Stimulant medications are among the safest and most-studied psychiatric medicines. While they do have some risks, the risks of not treating ADHD (which may include school failure, risk-taking and low self-esteem) are often greater.

View the original Medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) article on myOptumHealth.com 

SOURCES:

  • National Institute of Mental Health. The treatment of ADHD. Accessed: 11/03/2008
  • Vetter VL, Elia J, Erickson C, et al. Cardiovascular monitoring of children and adolescents with heart disease receiving medications for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Circulation. 2008;117:2407-2423. Accessed: 11/03/2008
  • Raishevich N, Jensen P. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: medications. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007 Accessed: 11/17/2008
  • HelpGuide.org. ADD & ADHD medications: are meds right for you or your child? Accessed: 11/03/2008
Content provided by:
These Web sites are for your informational use only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It may not represent your true individual medical situation. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified health care provider. Also consult your healthcare provider before starting any medications or supplements or beginning or modifying any exercise program.

© 2010 OptumHealth, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of information on this page may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the written permission of OptumHealth, Inc.
All content © Copyright 2000-2007, WorldNow and KXRM. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.