Questions about a Disorder?
Drugs & Medications for Treating ADHD
If you start on medication, remember that it is important not to stop taking it abruptly. Certain drugs must be tapered off under the supervision of a doctor or bad reactions can occur. Make sure you talk to the doctor who prescribed your medication before you stop taking it. If you are having trouble with side effects, it’s possible that they can be eliminated by adjusting how much medication you take and when you take it.
Most insurance plans, including health maintenance organizations (HMOs), will cover treatment for mental health disorders. Check with your insurance company and find out. If you don’t have insurance, your local city or county government may offer mental health care at a public mental health center that charges people according to how much they are able to pay.
ADHD Drugs & Medications
These medications are often used to treat ADHD. While we have tried to include most of the drugs used, there may be some that we have missed. Also, this list and any information related to drugs and medications on this website should ONLY be used as supplemental information, and should in no way be used in place of the advice of your physician or healthcare practioner.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of ADHD fall into three groups:
1. Hyperactivity – increased activity, trouble sitting still or playing quietly
2. Impulsivity – difficulty waiting their turn, interrupting others, intruding on others' games
3. Inattentiveness – inability to finish projects, forgetfulness, misplacing things, makes careless mistakes
Learn more about ADHD diagnosis
Questionnaire
This simple questionnaire is designed to help you determine if your child has symptoms of ADHD and could benefit from professional help.
Therapy
ADHD treatment requires close cooperation among the child, their parents and the doctor. Regular follow-ups with the doctor are necessary to monitor medication. The doctor will want regular reports on the child's progress as well as to watch for possible side effects of medication.
Stimulants are the most common type of drug used to treat ADHD. Although they are stimulants, they actually cause people with ADHD be become calmer. Stimulants appear to balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They help improve the symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Although there may be a dramatic improvement, these medications tend to lose their effectiveness over time. The right dose also varies from child to child, so it can take time to find the correct medicine and the correct dose for an indiviual. Stimulant drugs are available in short-acting and long-acting forms.
Progress Tracker
Track your ADHD symptoms to identify patterns and help with your treatment plan. Our progress tracker can be printed or even shared with your healthcare professional electronically.
Progress tracking for ADHD
ADHD Questionnaire
This simple questionnaire is designed to help you determine if your child has symptoms of ADHD and could benefit from professional help.