Attention deficit disorder is a common psychiatric ailment that typically first manifests during childhood but can continue into adulthood. It causes difficulties in paying attention and with hyperactive behavior, which can lead to problems in the patient's social life and workplace. A variety of medications can be given to adults to treat attention deficit disorder.
Stimulants
Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of attention deficit disorder in adults, Help4ADHD.org explains. Stimulant medications increase the levels of chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine, that are needed to help neurons communicate effectively with each other. Adults with attention deficit disorder often have less neural activity in some parts of their brain. The stimulants help treat this problem, relieving some of the symptoms of attention deficit disorder. Commonly prescribed stimulants include amphetamine, methylphenidate and mixed salts of amphetamine. Stimulant medications can come in both short- and long-acting formulations and the individual dosage may vary among adults. Common side effects of using stimulants for the treatment of attention deficit disorder include loss of appetite, agitation, weight loss and difficulty sleeping.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine is another medication commonly used to treat attention deficit disorder in adults, EMedTV reports. Unlike stimulant medications that primarily increase the levels of dopamine in the brain, atomoxetine works by increasing the levels of another important neural chemical, norepinephrine. On the other hand, it can take up to three to four weeks for the effects of atomoxetine to be felt, as opposed to the nearly immediate benefit that occurs from taking stimulants. Atomoxetine can also cause similar side effects as stimulants.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can also be used to treat adults with attention deficit disorder. To be effective at treating attention deficit disorder, the antidepressants must increase the levels of dopamine and/or norepinephrine, so the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class of antidepressants has not been found to be effective. Bupropion is often used because it increases the levels of both dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, HelpGuide.org explains. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, may also be used.
Contraindications
It can be more difficult to treat attention deficit disorder in adults if they have certain other health conditions, such as high blood pressure or heart disease. This is because many of the medications used to treat adult attention deficit disorder also affect the cardiovascular system and can increase the risk of a heart attack in patients with an already strained heart. Stimulants are also not recommended for patients with hyperthyroidism or glaucoma as these medications can result in severe complications.
Abuse
Stimulants must also be used with care in adults because of the potential for abuse. Amphetamines and other stimulants can cause a feeling of euphoria or a rush of energy, which means that adults taking these medications for the treatment of attention deficit disorder may start using them illicitly. For this reason, adults taking stimulants may need to go to a physician each time they need a refill instead of having prescriptions that allow for multiple refills.
