Medications for ADHD
United Kingdom · CPD points & talks · Psychologists
The information provided below is intended to provide basic information about mental health medications. It is not a complete source for all medications available and should not be used as a guide for making medical decisions.
Stimulants increase alertness, attention, and energy, as well as elevate blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. Stimulant medications are often prescribed to treat children, adolescents, or adults diagnosed with ADHD.
Stimulants used to treat ADHD include:
• Methylphenidate- Ritalin, Concerta (the difference between these two molecules is the way they are produced as well as the duration of effect, Ritalin comes in fast acting (10mg once or twice a day) as well as a slow release formulation (Ritalin LA 10-40mg) and Concerta which is a prolonged release formulation at dosages of 18 to 54mg)
• Straterra (10-80mg) which is a non-stimulant medications may be tried first in a young person with ADHD, and if response is insufficient, then a stimulant is prescribed.
Stimulants can also be prescribed to treat other health conditions, including narcolepsy, and occasionally depression (especially in older or chronically medically ill people and in those who have not responded to other treatments).
How do people respond to stimulants?
Prescription stimulants have a calming and “focusing” effect on individuals with ADHD. Stimulant medications are safe when given under a doctor's supervision. Some children taking them may feel slightly different or "funny."
Some parents worry that stimulant medications may lead to drug abuse or dependence, but there is little evidence of this when they are used properly as prescribed. Additionally, research shows that teens with ADHD who took stimulant medications were less likely to abuse drugs than those who did not take stimulant medications.
What are the possible side effects of stimulants?
Stimulants may cause side effects. Most side effects are minor and disappear when dosage levels are lowered. The most common side effects include:
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach pain
• Headache
Less common side effects include:
• Motor tics or verbal tics
• Personality changes, such as appearing “flat” or without emotion
CalabashCalabash ArticlesCalabash PartnersCalabash ContributorsCalabash SpeakersCalabash TalksCalabash Sign upCalabash Sign inTalk · Speech-Sound Disorders: Differential diagnosis & treatmentPersonality CPD talksArticle · DBT and CBT: Demystifying DifferencesVestibular Disorders CPD talksHow It WorksCalabash · South AfricaCalabash Articles · South AfricaCalabash Partners · South AfricaCalabash Contributors · South AfricaCalabash Speakers · South AfricaCalabash Talks · South AfricaCalabash Sign up · South AfricaCalabash Sign in · South AfricaTalk · Traumatic Brain Injury: Effects & neuropsychological considerations · South AfricaTherapy Modalities CPD talks · South AfricaArticle · Who's Afraid of Stuttering? · South AfricaRelational Psychoanalysis CPD talks · South AfricaFrequently Asked Questions · South AfricaCalabash · AustraliaCalabash Articles · AustraliaCalabash Partners · AustraliaCalabash Contributors · AustraliaCalabash Speakers · AustraliaCalabash Talks · AustraliaCalabash Sign up · AustraliaCalabash Sign in · AustraliaTalk · Emotionally dysregulated clients: Supporting Families - 2. Accepting feelings & changing behaviour · AustraliaAustralian Counselling Association CPD talks · AustraliaArticle · Confidentiality and Consent when working with Adolescents · AustraliaPsychoanalysis CPD talks · AustraliaUploading an Article · AustraliaCalabash · New ZealandCalabash Articles · New ZealandCalabash Partners · New ZealandCalabash Contributors · New ZealandCalabash Speakers · New ZealandCalabash Talks · New ZealandCalabash Sign up · New ZealandCalabash Sign in · New ZealandTalk · Psychoanalytic Couple Therapy · New ZealandNeurodiversity CPD talks · New ZealandArticle · When things seem to be falling apart, just go to the bathroom: Insights and Tools from sports and performance psychology · New ZealandHand therapy CPD talks · New ZealandAbout Contributors · New ZealandCalabash · United KingdomCalabash Articles · United KingdomCalabash Partners · United KingdomCalabash Contributors · United KingdomCalabash Speakers · United KingdomCalabash Talks · United KingdomCalabash Sign up · United KingdomCalabash Sign in · United KingdomTalk · Career Psychology: An introduction · United KingdomPersonality CPD talks · United KingdomArticle · A GP's perspective on Mental Health Referrals · United KingdomNeuroanatomy CPD talks · United KingdomTerms of Use · United KingdomCalabash · United StatesCalabash Articles · United StatesCalabash Partners · United StatesCalabash Contributors · United StatesCalabash Speakers · United StatesCalabash Talks · United StatesCalabash Sign up · United StatesCalabash Sign in · United StatesTalk · CBT with Children & Adolescents: Social Anxiety Disorder · United StatesAllied Health Professionals CPD talks · United StatesArticle · Helpful Lifestyle Changes for Patients with Tinnitus · United StatesCerebral Palsy CPD talks · United StatesUploading an Article · United StatesCalabash · CanadaCalabash Articles · CanadaCalabash Partners · CanadaCalabash Contributors · CanadaCalabash Speakers · CanadaCalabash Talks · CanadaCalabash Sign up · CanadaCalabash Sign in · CanadaTalk · HPCSA Guidelines on the use of Social Media · CanadaCognitive Behavioural Therapy CPD talks · CanadaArticle · Understanding Complex PTSD · CanadaLearning CPD talks · CanadaAbout Contributors · Canada
Psychologist in Sydney