ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, affects 3 to 5 percent of Amercian children, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Symptoms of ADHD are broken into three categories: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Some parents choose to give their children medication to help them focus and perform better in school. Four types of medications---stimulants, nonstimulants, high blood pressure and antidepressant medications---can be prescribed, according to the authors of the article "ADD & ADHD Medications: Are Meds Right for You or Your Child?"
Stimulant Medication
Stimulant medications are the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. The medications work by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain, which improves motivation, pleasure, attention and movement. Patients can choose from short-acting stimulants, where two to three doses are taken each day, or long-acting stimulants that are taken only once a day. Two types of stimulant medications are used to treat ADHD: methylphenidates and amphetamines, according to Dr. Richard S. Kingsley. Examples of methylphenidates include Concerta, Metadate CD, Ritalin LA and Focalin XR. Amphetamines used for ADHD treatment are Adderall, Adderall XR, Dexedrine, Vyvanse and Dextrostat.
Nonstimulant Medication
Nonstimulant medications include Strattera or atomoxetine, which works by increasing the levels of norepinephrine in the brain. In addition, Strattera can also last for over 24 hours. However, Strattera is not an effective treatment for hyperactivity symptoms. Instead, Strattera is prescribed to patients who have mainly inattention symptoms.
High Blood Pressure Medication
Another medication that is used to treat ADHD is high blood pressure medication. Catapres (clonidine) and Tenex (guanfacine) are both types of high blood pressure medications. While high blood pressure medications can treat the symptoms of ADHD, they are not as effective with the inattention symptoms, according to "ADD & ADHD Medications: Are Meds Right for You or Your Child?"
Antidepressant Medication
The last type of medication used for ADHD is antidepressant medications. Sometimes a tricyclic antidepressant is prescribed. A type of antidepressant used for ADHD is Wellbutrin, or bupropion, which alters the amount of both norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain.
