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Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD notice a decrease in symptoms when taking medication. But each person reacts differently to different drugs and adverse effects can be a problem.

Methylphenidate is part of a class of drugs referred to as stimulants. It works by raising levels of a substance in the brain that assists in controlling the behavior and attention.

Stimulant medications

Stimulants enhance attention and concentration in 70 to the 80% of adults and children who take them. They alter the activity of neurotransmitters that are essential in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. Typically, they cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for a few hours. This is why many experts recommend that people start with a lower dose and increase it to the recommended dosage over a period of weeks.

Stimant medications are taken by mouth, typically once or twice a day. The majority are available in short- and long-acting formulations. Short-acting stimulants are peaking within a few hours and should be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours, and are only taken once a week.

These medications can cause undesirable side effects, such as insomnia, nausea and a loss of appetite. They may also make some people irritable or moody however, these effects usually diminish over time and can often be managed by adjusting the dosage. In certain instances stimulants can trigger changes in personality, like becoming withdrawn, listless or more rigid and obsessive. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, such as depression and mania.

Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require a prescription. They are often misused by adults and teens to achieve performance enhancement, and can result in addiction if used in a way that is not prescribed. Because of these risks, doctors are very attentive to determine the need for stimulant medications and to monitor dosage and adverse effects closely.

Non-stimulant drugs

There are many non-stimulant ADHD medicines that are available, and the one that is most effective is dependent on the person. These are prescription drugs, but they do not act on the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants cause less negative effects, but take longer to act and last only for 24 hours. They work by increasing the levels of norepinephrine in the brain. They also contain antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Therapy can teach the patient how to deal with their symptoms, and also develop new coping techniques such as stress management or impulsivity control. BetterHelp is a company that offers online therapy connects clients with licensed therapists who specialize here in treating ADHD and other mental illnesses. Take a free assessment and get matched with a therapist in just a few hours. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications can help those with ADHD improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, but they don't address some of the root causes of the disorder. In addition to talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach a person techniques to control the impulsive behavior of their children and increase their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach, or practiced with a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can learn these methods to assist their child or adult suffering from ADHD. In certain situations the combination of medication and talk therapy may be the best option.