What medications can treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
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Two groups of medications treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They are stimulants and non-stimulants. Stimulant drugs are often the first choice for ADHD treatment. Take them exactly as your doctor prescribes. If you do this, stimulant drugs are safe and effective for your ADHD.
However, there are some people who cannot take stimulants. In these situations, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications for ADHD treatment. Sometimes, antidepressants are used for ADHD. Whether you try stimulant or non-stimulant drugs for ADHD, discuss any undesirable symptoms with your doctor. You may have to try different dosages and different medications before you find the medication and dose that works best for you.
Two groups of medications treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They are stimulants and non-stimulants. Stimulant drugs are often the first choice for ADHD treatment. Take them exactly as your doctor prescribes. If you do... More -
Discovery Health answered:There are many medications available to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but Adderall and Ritalin-both approved for children as young as age 3-are among the most widely known.
The majority of ADHD medications are considered to be stimulants, but Strattera is a major exception.
The stimulants, which are designed to help those with ADHD stay focused and maintain concentration, are effective for about 90 percent of those with the disorder. However, about one in 10 cases requires a different kind of medication-and finding the best one at the right dosage can take trial and error.
Like other medications, there is a potential for side effects which can include anxiety, insomnia or a lack of appetite. Children who take medication for ADHD often must continue doing so as teenagers and even as adults.
There are many medications available to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but Adderall and Ritalin-both approved for children as young as age 3-are among the most widely known. The majority of ADHD medications are considered to... More -
Dr. Thomas Jensen of International Bipolar Foundation answered:In general, stimulants are the drug of choice for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There are nonstimulant options, most notably Straterra or Wellbutrin, but the effect size of the response (i.e. how much they help, not just whether or not they are better than placebo) seems considerably lower than for stimulants.
Within the stimulant family, there are two basic types. The amphetamine based drugs that work by blocking the recycling or "reuptake" and increasing the release of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, while the Ritalin or methylphenidate based drugs work by just blocking the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine. While some people do better with one family versus the other, most respond to either one. If an amphetamine based drug doesn't work well, we usually try a methylphenidate based drug, or vice versa.
Within each of these families are different tactics for making the drugs work longer. These tactics range from slow-to-digest pills to skin patches to a drug that must be broken down before it can work to a two phase timed release system. Your doctor can discuss and compare these if stimulants are considered for your ADHD.In general, stimulants are the drug of choice for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There are nonstimulant options, most notably Straterra or Wellbutrin, but the effect size of the response (i.e. how much they help, not just... More
