Making treatment decisions when you or a family member have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) can be overwhelming. Patients and caretakers today have an array of ADHD medication choices, all of which are designed to help improve focus, concentration and impulse control. Because everyone reacts differently to medications, it is important to understand all of the options that are out there and to have your choices closely monitored by a physician or psychiatrist with ADHD experience.
Stimulants
Stimulants are the most common type of medication prescribed for ADHD. They have the longest track record of success, according to the article "ADD/ADHD Medications", which appears on the website Helpguide.org. All stimulants include different formulations of the ingredients methylphenidate and amphetamine, believed to work by increasing levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which impacts control over individual motivation, pleasure, attention and movement. Stimulants are available in short, intermediate and long-acting forms and are sold under well-known names like Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin and Adderall.
Common side effects of stimulants include eating and sleeping difficulties, together with headaches and stomach aches. Most of the side effects can be managed via dosage adjustment or when the medication is given.
Stimulant medication dosages are not prescribed according to a patient's weight. Instead, doctors will start you out with a lower dose and gradually increased until a satisfactory dosage is found. The American Academy of Pediatrics is quoted in a Keepkidshealthy.com article about ADHD medications as stating, "At least 80% of children will respond to one of the stimulants". This means that it is not uncommon for up to three medications to be tried out before considering other options.
Long-term stimulants that last anywhere from 8 to 12 hours are gaining in popularity because they only need to be taken once each day, a huge plus for children in school or adults with busy schedules. A benefit of some of the short acting stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall is that they are available in a cheaper generic version.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are a second line treatment for ADHD and are considered after two or three stimulant medications have been tried without success. According to Keepkidshealthy.org, Wellbutrin (generic name buproprion) is the most widely used antidepressant and works by targeting dopamine in addition to norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter which impacts the body's "flight or fight" reaction.
Antidepressants are not as successful as stimulants in treating most of the symptoms associated with ADHD and have a higher risk of serious side effects, according to the article "Frequently Asked Questions About Antidepressants for Children" appearing on the Family Education website. The website also lists common side effects that include dry mouth, decreased appetite, headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and insomnia. Antidepressants have occasionally been known to increase heart rate and blood pressure
Fine tuning dosages is tricky because antidepressants must accumulate in the body before they can become effective.
Non-Stimulants
Strattera (generic name, atomoxetine) is the only non-stimulant medication with FDA approval to treat ADHD. Although Helpguide.org points out that Strattera doesn't control hyperactivity as well as stimulants, it works well to treat other ADHD symptoms and is often tried when patients cannot manage the side effects of stimulants. Because its effects last over the course of 24 hours, Stattera is a great option for those who do not perform well in the morning. Similar to antidepressants, Strattera boosts norepinephrine levels, according to Helpguide.org, making it a viable alternative for patients diagnosed with anxiety and depression in addition to ADHD.
Unlike stimulants, which show improvements straight away, effects of Stratera are often not evident for a week or two. Common side effects are mild and are similar to those of stimulants, including sleeping and eating issues together with stomach aches. A more serious warning was issued in 2005 by the FDA, stating that Strattera use should be carefully monitored, as it could increase suicidal thinking.
High Blood Pressure Medication
Certain blood pressure medications, namely Catapres (clonidine) and Tenex (guanfacine) can be used to treat ADHD. These drugs decrease the levels of certain chemicals in your blood, allowing your blood vessels to relax and your heart to relax and beat more slowly, according to Drugs.com.
Patients with ADHD in addition to uncontrollable tics or Tourette's Syndrome have had great success with this medication, according to helpguide.org. High blood pressure medications are most effective to deal with hyperactivity and impulse control but are less helpful with focus issues related to ADHD.
