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The majority of children and teens who are taking ADHD medication report that they focus better and are less impulsive. They feel calmer and more focused with their school work. Some suffer a slight slowing of growth and experience an increase in heart rate or blood pressure when taking these medications.
There are a variety of medications, including tablets, liquids patches, capsules, and tablets (such as Daytrana). The most frequently used stimulant is methylphenidate (Adderall). It comes in three forms: immediate release, sustained-release and extended-release.
Stimulants
Stimulants are a class of drugs that is effective in treating ADHD. These medications improve concentration and attention by altering neurotransmitters, specifically norepinephrine and dopamine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, often known as the "secretary of the brain" because it assists in the planning and organizing skills.
Stimulants are available in both short-acting and long-acting dosages. The short-acting drugs are most effective between 30 and 45 minutes, and need to be taken twice or three times per day. Amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates, such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin, are among these. Amphetamines are more potent and last longer than methylphenidates, however, they both function in the same way to improve concentration and attention. Some stimulant medications are available in extended-release forms. They are a better option because they last for 8 to 12 hours and are generally taken only every day. Certain of these medicines are powders that you mix with liquids to create drinks, while others are pills.
Finding the right medication can take a bit of time. Your doctor will monitor how you react to various types of medications and will adjust the dosage as needed. The use of medicines should be a part of a complete treatment plan that includes behavioral therapy and support.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications can take a bit longer to kick in, but can help you feel more in control and boost your impulsivity, concentration and focus. These medications don't alter dopamine or norepinephrine in the same as stimulants do, so they are safer to use for an extended period of time. They also have less side effects such as constipation, heartburn, and decreased sexual drive. Strattera is the first of these drugs that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's a selective reuptake norepinephrine inhibitor. Your doctor could prescribe additional medication from this category, including Guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay).
There are also antidepressants that are not stimulant that are prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. These are older medications within the tricyclic antidepressant group, like Tofranil (imipramine). These drugs are only prescribed by doctors if stimulants or other non-stimulants don't work or if they cause too many adverse side effects.
Viloxazine or Atomoxetine may be prescribed by your doctor. These medications do not have a direct effect but they may help reduce the amount of impulsivity and improve concentration. These drugs are part of a different adhd medications class of drugs compared to other ones and may cause side effects like shaky hand or headache. Your doctor may also suggest taking a low dose of an antidepressant, called bupropion (Wellbutrin) which isn't an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but can be effective to improve concentration and reduce the impulsivity. It can trigger some uncomfortable but not always serious side effects, such as the ringing of your ears or changes in your vision.