• Cancers
    • Colorectal Cancer
    • Lymphoma
    • Penile Cancer
    • Uterine Cancer
    • Breast Cancer
    • Stomach Cancer
    • Bone Cancer
    • Cervical Cancer
    • Brain Cancer
    • Leukemia (Blood Cells Cancer)
    • Endometrial Cancer
    • Neuroblastoma
    • Kidney Cancer
  • Brain
    • Stroke
    • Dyslexia
    • Down Syndrome
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    • Alcoholism
    • Autism
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Epilepsy
    • Schizophrenia
    • Insomnia
    • Alzheimer’s Disease
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Migraine
    • Phobia
  • Heart
    • Hypertension
    • Endocarditis
    • Coronary Heart Disease
    • Myocardial Infarction
    • Arrhythmia
    • Angina
    • Enlarged heart
    • Pericarditis
    • Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
    • Peripheral Arterial Disease
    • Ventricular Septal Defect
    • Hypotension
  • Urinary Health
    • Chronic Kidney Disease
    • Diabetic Nephropathy
    • Urinary Tract Infection
    • Prostatitis
    • Urinary Incontinence
    • Enlarged Prostate
    • Blood in Urine
    • Kidney Stones
    • Erectile Dysfunction
    • Cystitis
  • Eye
    • Myopia
    • Glaucoma
    • Dry Eyes
    • Conjunctivitis
    • Cataracts
    • Color Blindness
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Keratoconus
  • Skin
    • Shingles
    • Rosacea
    • Eczema
    • Vitiligo
    • Psoriasis
    • Scabies
    • Acne
    • Dandruff
  • Women Health
    • Uterine Fibroids
    • Pregnancy
    • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    • Vaginitis
    • Endometriosis
    • Preeclampsia
    • Menstruation
    • Ovarian Cyst
    • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • Digestive Health
    • Celiac Disease
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Achalasia
    • Diarrhea
    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
    • Diverticulitis
    • Liver Cirrhosis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Constipation
    • Appendicitis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Gallstones
    • Crohn’s Disease
  • Bone Health
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Osteoporosis
    • Cyst
    • Osteomyelitis
    • Sciatica
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Calcium Deficiency
    • Gout
    • Rickets in Children
    • Spinal Stenosis
  • Dental
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Dental Caries
    • Bad Breath
    • Sensitive Teeth
    • Dry Mouth
    • Supernumerary Teeth
    • Bruxism
    • Tooth Loss
    • Impacted Tooth
  • More
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Rhinitis
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
    • Thalassemia
    • Hepatitis
    • Sinusitis
    • Acromegaly
    • Health and Wellness
    • Achondroplasia
    • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Asthma
    • Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Tuberculosis

Write For Us

What's Hot

How Big Are Kidney Stones?

February 3, 2021
Dyslexia

What Do Words Look Like to a Dyslexic Person?

February 3, 2021
Gallstones without a gallbladder image

Can you Get Gallstones without a Gallbladder?

July 12, 2022
Facebook Twitter YouTube
DiseaseFix – World's Largest Disease Information Center
  • Write For Us
Facebook Twitter YouTube
  • Cancers
    • Colorectal Cancer
    • Lymphoma
    • Penile Cancer
    • Uterine Cancer
    • Breast Cancer
    • Stomach Cancer
    • Bone Cancer
    • Cervical Cancer
    • Brain Cancer
    • Leukemia (Blood Cells Cancer)
    • Endometrial Cancer
    • Neuroblastoma
    • Kidney Cancer
  • Brain
    • Stroke
    • Dyslexia
    • Down Syndrome
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    • Alcoholism
    • Autism
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Epilepsy
    • Schizophrenia
    • Insomnia
    • Alzheimer’s Disease
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Migraine
    • Phobia
  • Heart
    • Hypertension
    • Endocarditis
    • Coronary Heart Disease
    • Myocardial Infarction
    • Arrhythmia
    • Angina
    • Enlarged heart
    • Pericarditis
    • Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
    • Peripheral Arterial Disease
    • Ventricular Septal Defect
    • Hypotension
  • Urinary Health
    • Chronic Kidney Disease
    • Diabetic Nephropathy
    • Urinary Tract Infection
    • Prostatitis
    • Urinary Incontinence
    • Enlarged Prostate
    • Blood in Urine
    • Kidney Stones
    • Erectile Dysfunction
    • Cystitis
  • Eye
    • Myopia
    • Glaucoma
    • Dry Eyes
    • Conjunctivitis
    • Cataracts
    • Color Blindness
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Keratoconus
  • Skin
    • Shingles
    • Rosacea
    • Eczema
    • Vitiligo
    • Psoriasis
    • Scabies
    • Acne
    • Dandruff
  • Women Health
    • Uterine Fibroids
    • Pregnancy
    • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    • Vaginitis
    • Endometriosis
    • Preeclampsia
    • Menstruation
    • Ovarian Cyst
    • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • Digestive Health
    • Celiac Disease
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Achalasia
    • Diarrhea
    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
    • Diverticulitis
    • Liver Cirrhosis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Constipation
    • Appendicitis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Gallstones
    • Crohn’s Disease
  • Bone Health
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Osteoporosis
    • Cyst
    • Osteomyelitis
    • Sciatica
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Calcium Deficiency
    • Gout
    • Rickets in Children
    • Spinal Stenosis
  • Dental
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Dental Caries
    • Bad Breath
    • Sensitive Teeth
    • Dry Mouth
    • Supernumerary Teeth
    • Bruxism
    • Tooth Loss
    • Impacted Tooth
  • More
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Rhinitis
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
    • Thalassemia
    • Hepatitis
    • Sinusitis
    • Acromegaly
    • Health and Wellness
    • Achondroplasia
    • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Asthma
    • Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Tuberculosis
DiseaseFix – World's Largest Disease Information Center
Home » Brain and Neurological Conditions » Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) » ADHD Medications and Their Side Effects

ADHD Medications and Their Side Effects

Sana MasroorBy Sana Masroor3 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
syringe pill capsule
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

ADHD is a neuropsychiatric disorder that is characterized by excessive activity, difficulty in paying attention and acting without regard for consequences (impulsiveness). It can be seen during childhood or adulthood.

Symptoms of this disease may be noticed at an early age. The disease can be easily noticed when a situation associated with a child changes, like when they start going to school.

What Medications are Used for Treating ADHD?

Genetic factors and other conditions like brain injury, traumas etc are considered to be the potential factors for ADHD. ADHD influences those parts of our brain which help us with different executive functioning like planning for future, regulating emotions and controlling our impulses.

Medications are given to ADHD sufferers to increase their ability to pay attention, manage their impulsiveness and hyperactivity. These medications sometimes can also be used for people who suffer from sleep attacks (narcolepsy), chronic fatigue and to boost antidepressant effects.

Different types of medications generally used to treat ADHD patients are: Stimulants and Non-stimulants.

Stimulants

These are the most common medications used for treating ADHD. Stimulants will help improve symptoms for about 70% children with ADHD.

Stimulants work by increasing dopamine (a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, motivation, attention and movement) levels in the brain. Stimulants are most commonly used for attention deficit disorder.

Three main stimulant medications along with their active ingredients used for ADHD are:

  • Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta and Biphentin)
  • Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Vyanse and Dexedrine spansule)
  • Mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall XR)

Stimulants for ADHD come in both shorter and longer acting forms. Short-acting stimulants do not last for a long duration, so they are taken 2-3 times a day. Long-acting stimulants last for about 8-12 hours, and are usually taken just once a day.

Non-Stimulant Medications

In cases where stimulants do not work or cause intolerable side effects, non-stimulants might help. These medications may help in increasing attentiveness and controlling impulse. Non stimulant medications include Strattera (atypical antidepressants) and certain blood pressure medications.

Strattera

  • Strattera (generic name is atomoxetine) is the only non-stimulant medication which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ADHD treatment. Strattera increases the level of norepinephrine (a brain chemical released under stress conditions).
  • Strattera effects last for a long time such as for over 24 hours. These medicines are longer acting than the stimulant drugs. They have antidepressant properties too.
  • Strattera doesn’t seem to be as effective as the stimulant medications for treating hyperactivity in ADHD patients.
Managing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in School

Are There Any Side Effects Associated With ADHD Medications?

Although right ADHD medications make the life much easier for children and adults who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but ADHD medications can sometimes also make things worse leading to severe side effects such as:

  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Insomnia
  • Blunted appetite

Some common side effects of stimulant medications and non-stimulant medications for ADHD are:

Side Effects of ADHD Stimulant Drugs

Potential side effects of stimulant drugs include:

  • Sleep problems
  • Anxiety, depression
  • Delayed growth
  • Increase blood pressure
  • Headaches and stomach aches
  • Tics (repetitive movement or unwanted sounds)
  • Moodiness and irritatibility

Serious side effects of stimulant drugs include heart attack, sudden death and stroke.

Side effects of non stimulant drugs

Non stimulant drugs can also cause side effects, which include:

  • Nausea
  • Stomachaches
  • Drowsiness
  • Fatigue
  • Mood swings
  • Loss of appetite
Check out our other Trusted Resources and Images on ADHD
Sana Masroor

Sana Masroor is a biochemist and has pursued her Master’s degree in biochemistry from Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi. She has worked as a Research Trainee in the Special Center for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

Follow-Up Reads

Managing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in School

February 5, 2020
Child Developing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Is Your Child at Risk of Developing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

February 5, 2020

ADHD in Adults

September 19, 2019

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Best Practices for staying Healthy: Strategies & Tactics
doctor with mask Best Practices for staying Healthy

Treatment for COPD in the Elderly Explained

By Kapil Sharma5 Mins Read

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and debilitating condition that affects the lungs,…

Lemon Juice Glass

Top 10 Home Remedies to Pass a Kidney Stone in 24 Hours

February 20, 2023
Runny Nose

Spike in H3N2 Influenza Cases in Delhi-NCR

February 16, 2023
Newborn child

Healing From a Stillbirth or Infant Loss: A Guide for Parents

February 14, 2023
Latest Posts
Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats

Reasons Why Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats Are the Best Choice for Your Health and the Environment

May 30, 2023
Pollution Environment Drone Aerial View

5 Environmental Factors to Consider When Relocating

May 26, 2023
Health and Safety is Important in the Workplace

5 Reasons Why Health and Safety Is Important in the Workplace

May 26, 2023
Hair loss in children

Hair Loss in Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

May 26, 2023
Woman with red lips smiling

6 Dental Procedures You Can Consider for a Great Smile

May 25, 2023
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
About Us
About Us

DiseaseFix is primarily known as an online publisher of disease-centric medical information related to human health and well-being. The information is published as disease modules accessible to users from across the world free of cost.

Email Us: contact@diseasefix.com

Our Picks
Breast Cancer

Moving Forward After Breast Cancer Surgery

December 30, 2022
Five Things Patients Experience Immediately After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Five Things Patients Experience Immediately After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

April 23, 2021

Real Life Experiences About Coping With Cancer

April 22, 2021
Company

Disease Index

About Us

Our Team

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Contact Us

Write For Us

 

Facebook Twitter YouTube
© 2023 Diseasefix. All rights reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.