ADHD Medicines

	Tweet

What medicines are used to treat ADHD?
Some medicines used to treat attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are called psychostimulants. Some of these drugs are methylphenidate (brand names: Concerta, Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (brand names: Dexedrine, Dextrostat) and pemoline (brand name: Cylert). Although these medicines have a stimulating effect in most people, they have a calming effect in children and adults with ADHD.

Other types of medicine sometimes used to treat ADHD include clonidine (brand name: Catapres), desipramine (brand name: Norpramin), imipramine (brand name: Tofranil) and buproprion (brand name: Wellbutrin).

Do the medicines for ADHD have side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. Psychostimulants may cause a decreased appetite, a stomachache or a headache. The loss of appetite can cause weight loss in some people. This side effect seems to be more common in children. Some people have insomnia (trouble sleeping). Here are some ways to avoid side effects (like a fast heart beat, chest pain or vomiting) when taking psychostimulants:

• Use the lowest possible dose that still controls the hyperactivity. Your doctor will tell you the right dose.
  
• Take the medicine with food if it bothers your stomach.
  
• Plan to use the weekends as drug-free days. This means, don’t take any ADHD medicines on Saturday and Sunday. Ask your doctor before you try this.
  
• Children who lose weight while taking medicine for ADHD can have extra healthy snacks during the day.

How should medicine for ADHD be taken?
It’s important to take the medicine just the way your doctor says--not more often and not less often. Follow your doctor’s advice even if you think the medicine isn’t working. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you think the medicine isn’t working.

It’s best to take the medicine 30 to 45 minutes before a meal. Good times to take this medicine are before breakfast and before lunch. Lunch-time doses can be given at school for some children. If your child can’t take this medicine at school, tell your doctor. Your doctor might suggest a long-acting form of the medicine instead. The long-acting form of this medicine should not be crushed, broken or chewed before swallowing. The long-acting forms are taken only once a day, right before breakfast.

It’s also important to know that some of the medicines used to treat ADHD are called “controlled” drugs. There are special rules about the way controlled drugs can be prescribed, because these drugs could be used the wrong way. The prescriptions for controlled drugs, like methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, must be refilled at the drug store every month. At some doctors’ offices, these prescriptions are only written on 1 day of the month.

Will the medicines also help with other problems?
The medicines used to treat ADHD have been shown to improve a person’s ability to do a specific task, such as pay attention or have more self-control in certain situations. It is not known whether these medicines can improve broader aspects of life, such as relationships or learning and reading skills.

How long will this treatment last?
People with ADHD should be checked regularly by their doctors. During these check ups, the doctor will want to hear what the parents have to say about a child with ADHD. Your doctor may suggest that your child take a break from his or her medicines once in a while to see if the medicine is still necessary. Talk with your doctor about the best time to do this--school breaks or summer vacation might be best. The teacher’s comments about the child are also important. The doctor will want to check a person with ADHD after the medicine dose has been changed. The length of time a person takes the medicine depends on each person. Everyone is different. Some people only need a short treatment, for 1 to 2 years. Some people need treatment for years. In some people, ADHD may continue into adolescence and adulthood.

RELATED STORIES:
Increased Secretion of Proinflammatory Cytokines   Depression: Frequently Asked Questions   Depression and Alzheimer’s Disease   What is dysthymia?   How EFFEXOR XR Works   When You’re Older and Depressed…   Taking EFFEXOR XR   Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)   Panic Disorder   The links between anxiety and depression   Causes of depression   Using medications to treat depression   Adolescent depression   ADHD: What Parents Should Know   Depression in childhood

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

Your child might have ADHD if he or she: has trouble paying attention makes careless mistakes seems not to listen when spoken to directly has trouble following instructions and finishing tasks has trouble planning and organizing work or activities avoids certain tasks or does them grudgingly, especially those requiring sustained mental effort loses things necessary for tasks or activities, such as toys, homework assignments, pencils, books, and so on becomes easily distracted forgets things squirms in chair or fidgets gets up, runs around, or climbs during class or in other situations where one should stay seated is often “on the go” or acts as if “driven by a motor” talks too much and blurts out answers before questions have been completed can’t wait his turn interrupts or intrudes on others’ conversations or games

posted by Graphic on 03/09/2010 at 5:56 am -08:00