Wellbutrin, Focalin, Adderall, Ritalin, and Strattera: Do medications for ADHD work for you or your child? What you should know is provided below, along with information on typical side effects and appropriate dosage.

What is medicine for ADHD?

For children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, medication can help lessen symptoms of impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattentiveness. Medication for ADHD, however, does not treat ADHD. Your symptoms will reappear if you stop taking the drug. They’re not the only choice for treating your symptoms; they can also have risks and adverse effects.

In order to make the greatest choice for yourself or your child, it’s critical that you, as the patient or parent, are aware of the facts surrounding ADHD medication.

Comprehending ADHD medicines

First, it’s important to know precisely what ADHD drugs can and cannot accomplish.

Taking an ADHD prescription may help you focus better, manage your impulses, make plans, and complete chores on time. It isn’t a miracle drug, though, that will solve every issue you or your child has.

However, certain symptoms can not go away even when the drug is effective. For example, an adult with ADHD may still experience disorganization, distractibility, and interpersonal issues, while a youngster with ADHD may still suffer with forgetfulness, emotional issues, and social anxiety. For this reason, it’s critical to adjust your lifestyle to assist control your symptoms. These adjustments should include frequent exercise, a balanced diet, and enough sleep.

It’s also critical to keep in mind that every individual reacts to ADHD medication differently. Not everything that works for someone else will work for you or your child, and efficacy varies as well. While some people see significant progress, others simply see slight or no improvement.

Choosing the best ADHD medicine can often feel difficult due to the wide variety of options available. To determine the precise medication and dosage that is most effective for you or your kid, you may need to be patient and engage in some trial and error with your physician.

The usage of ADHD medication should always be tailored to the individual and properly supervised by a physician because the effects might differ greatly. ADHD medication may be less effective and more dangerous if it is not closely controlled.

ADHD stimulant medicines

The most often recommended class of drugs for attention deficit disorder is stimulants. They have been treating ADHD for the longest time, and the most research has been done to support their efficacy. Medications classified as stimulants include common prescriptions like Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate), and Addall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine).

Dexmethylphenidate, or focalin

ProCentra, Zenzedi, and Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine)

Adzenys, Dyanavel (amphetamine), Evekeo, and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)

How drugs that stimulate the body function

It is thought that stimulants function by raising dopamine levels in the brain. One neurotransmitter linked to motivation, pleasure, focus, and movement is dopamine. Stimulant drugs improve focus and concentration while lowering impulsive and hyperactive behaviors in many ADHD patients.

Contrasting long-acting and short-acting stimulants

There are dosages for ADHD stimulants that affect quickly and slowly. Short-acting stimulants require two to three daily doses and peak after several hours. Extended-release or long-acting stimulants are typically taken once daily and have a half-life of 8 to 12 hours.

Since individuals with ADHD frequently struggle to remember to take their medications, long-acting versions of ADHD medicine are frequently recommended. It is considerably simpler and more convenient to take one dosage every day.

adverse consequences of drugs that stimulate the body

Typical stimulant side effects include:

 being agitated and uneasy

 Having trouble falling asleep

 appetite decline

 Headaches

 upset stomach

 Mood swings and irritability

 Depression

 lightheadedness

 pounding heart rate

 tics

A change in personality may also result from stimulant medicines. Some people start to become less chatty, impulsive, drowsy, or withdraw. Others have symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Many specialists are concerned about the risks of using stimulants for prolonged periods of time since they increase heart rate and blood pressure.

Safety concerns about stimulant medications

The use of stimulant drugs for ADHD raises several safety concerns in addition to possible side effects.

impact on the growing brain. It is unknown how long-term use of ADHD medication will affect a young person’s growing brain. Certain researchers are worried that stimulant medication usage in kids and teenagers could disrupt healthy brain development.

heart-related issues. People with cardiac problems, both adults and children, have been reported to die suddenly from taking ADHD stimulant drugs. Before beginning a stimulant regimen, the American Heart Association advises all patients, including children, to get a cardiac examination. It is advised to get an ECG if the patient has a history of cardiac issues.

psychological issues. ADHD stimulants may cause or worsen antagonism, aggressiveness, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and paranoia. Individuals who have a family or personal history of bipolar disorder, depression, or suicide are more vulnerable and should have close supervision when using stimulants.

Possibility of misuse. Abuse of stimulants is becoming more and more of an issue, especially among teens and young people. This drug gives college students an energy boost during all-nighters or exam cramming. Some people misuse stimulant medications because they help them lose weight. Make sure your child isn’t selling or sharing their stimulant-taking tablets if they are.

Stimulants for ADHD are not advised for people who have:

 Any kind of Illness or abnormality of the heart

 elevated blood pressure

 Overactive thyroid

 glaucoma

 elevated anxiety

 a past of substance misuse

 Medication for Stimulants Warning Signs

If your kid or you encounter any of the following side effects from stimulant treatment for ADHD, contact your doctor straight away:

Suspicion or paranoid symptoms include chest pain, loss of breath, fainting, and seeing or hearing strange things.

ADHD non-stimulant meds

Several non-stimulant medications, such as Strattera, Qelbree, Intuniv, and Kapvay, are used to treat ADHD in addition to the conventional stimulant medications.

In addition, other drugs are occasionally used “off-label” (that is, prescribed by physicians for purposes not approved by the FDA) to treat attention deficit disorder. These include tricyclic antidepressants and atypical antidepressants like Wellbutrin.

When stimulants haven’t worked or have produced unbearable side effects, non-stimulant medications are frequently taken into consideration. There is generally less chance of abuse or addiction with non-stimulant ADHD medications. All medications carry some risk of side effects, though they are not as likely to cause agitation or insomnia as stimulants are.

ADHD drugs that raise blood pressure 

The FDA has approved two blood pressure medications in addition to Strattera and Qelbree to treat ADHD:

Intuniv (guanfacine) and Kapvay (clonidine)

The extended-release forms of Catapres and Telex, which have long been prescribed off-label for ADHD, are called Kapvay and Intuniv.

These drugs can have a relaxing effect because they are meant to treat high blood pressure; this makes them useful for treating symptoms of ADHD such as aggression, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. They might, however, be less successful in addressing issues related to focus and attention span.

Side effects of Intuniv and Kapvay

Typical adverse effects include exhaustion and sleepiness.

 Headache

 lightheadedness

 mouth dryness

 appetite decline

 vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain

Dangerous drops in blood pressure and irregularities in heart rhythm are two less frequent but more serious side effects.