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Medication Fact Sheet

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1. What medicines are used to treat ADHD?
2. Do the medicines for ADHD have side effects?
3. How should medicine for ADHD be taken?
4. Myths About Stimulant Medication
5. How long will this treatment last?

1. What medicines are used to treat ADHD?

The most commonly used medicines to treat ADHD are called “stimulants.” Some of these medicines are: Ritalin & Concerta (generic name: methylphenidate), and Adderall, Dexedrine & Dextrostat (generic name: dextroamphetamine). Even though these medicines can have a stimulating or energizing effect on certain parts of the brain, the amounts of these medicines used to treat ADHD actually help to have a calming effect in children with ADHD.

There is also a non-stimulant medicine known as Strattera (generic name: atomoxetine) that is used to treat ADHD. Some children may do better on the stimulant medicine while other children may do better when taking Strattera.

Other types of medicine including antidepressants are sometimes used to treat ADHD. Nine out of 10 children get better on one of these medicines. So if one of the medicines listed above doesn't help, others should be tried. A medicine should be tried for at least 3 to 4 weeks, and the dose may need to be changed to see if it helps.

Some studies show that medicine and therapy together may work better for some children than just taking medicine alone, so most doctors recommend that children taking medicine for ADHD should also see a therapist.

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2. Do the medicines for ADHD have side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. However, the side effects from these medicines are hardly ever unsafe. The common side effects may include: a low appetite, trouble sleeping, stomachache, headache, or a decrease in emotional expression. The loss of appetite seems to be the most common in children. There are some ways to lessen the side effects:

• Use the lowest possible dose that still helps your child be less hyper-active. Your doctor will tell you the right dose.
• Give the medicine with food if it bothers your child’s stomach.
• Children who lose weight while taking medicine for ADHD can have extra healthy snacks during the day or in the evening.

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3. How should medicine for ADHD be taken?

It's important to give the medicine to your child just the way the doctor says. Follow the doctor's adviceveven if you think the medicine may not be working. Be sure to talk with your child’s doctor if you think the medicine is not working.

Good times during the day to take the medicine are at breakfast and lunch time. The doctor may suggest a long-acting form of the medicine. The long-acting forms are taken only once a day usually at breakfast. The medicine should not be crushed, broken or chewed before being taken.

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4. Myths About Stimulant Medication

MYTH

Stimulants can lead to drug addiction when the child gets older.

FACT

Stimulants help many children focus and do better at school, home, and play. Not having bad experiences in these areas while a child is young may actually help them from having addictions and other emotional problems when they are older.

MYTH

Doing better while taking a stimulant medicine proves a child has ADHD.

FACT

Stimulants may help many children to focus and pay better attention, even if they do not have ADHD. The change may just be easier to see in children who do have ADHD.

MYTH

Medication should be stopped when the child becomes a teenager.

FACT

Not so! About 8 out of 10 of children who needed medicine as a child still need it when they are older. Five out of 10 will need the medicine as an adult.

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5. How long will this treatment last?

The length of time a child takes the medicine depends on each child. Everyone is different. Some children only need a short treatment period maybe for 1 to 2 years. For some children, treatment may last until they are a teenager, or even as an adult.

It is normal for parents to be worried about whether taking medicine is the best thing for their child. Parents need to understand the benefits and risks of taking medicine. Your child’s doctor can give you advice and answer all the questions you may have about medicines used to treat ADHD.

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