Updated on November 12, 2024.
Up to 90 percent of people with ADHD experience improvement by taking medication. But ADHD medication is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. The treatment that's right for you or your child will depend on factors such as age, symptoms, medical history, and tolerance for side effects.
Two main categories of ADHD medication are available—stimulant and nonstimulant. You should discuss the risks and benefits of each of these treatment options for ADHD with your healthcare provider (HCP).
Stimulants
These medications—which include methylphenidate, dexmethylphenidate, and amphetamines—are the most common type of ADHD medication. They help people with ADHD feel calm by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. These medicines can also improve concentration and decrease impulsivity. Stimulants are available in both short- and long-acting forms.
Nonstimulants
These medications come in a few forms.
Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
This type of medication works by increasing brain levels of norepinephrine, a chemical that's in short supply in people who have ADHD. The increase in norepinephrine improves attention span and reduces impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Antidepressants
These medications, which include tricyclics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and other antidepressants, alter brains levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. While they are rarely used alone to treat ADHD, they are sometimes used to treat children who have another problem along with ADHD, such as anxiety or depression.
Older antihypertensives
Certain medications originally developed for the treatment of high blood pressure may help. Some older drugs, which are now rarely used to manage hypertension, are still prescribed to treat ADHD. In fact, one older high blood pressure drug, called clonidine, was later approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a nonstimulant treatment for children with ADHD. Antihypertensives may improve cognitive function, decrease impulsivity, and help control other behaviors in people with ADHD, possibly by increasing brain levels of norepinephrine.
Research the side effects
Each type of ADHD medication comes with its own unique set of potential side effects. Some of these side effects may be mild, while others could prove dangerous. It's important to discuss with your child's HCP the risks and the benefits of any medication you're considering. The more information you have, the better equipped you'll be to make an informed decision for your child and to spot any problems moving forward.
