ADHD Medication Choices
Deciding which ADHD medication to take, or to give to your child, may be one of the toughest decisions you will ever make.
You
may think medication decisions should be left up to your doctor.
But you really
should know the facts about each type of medication and
work with your doctor to choose the one that is
right for you.
When considering an ADHD medication, most people automatically think of Ritalin. Ritalin has been around since the 1950's and is the most prescribed for children. But what you may not know is that there are many other medications available in various forms that may work better for you and may be a lot safer.
Before we list the various medications and formulations, let's
first talk about the two main categories of drugs used to treat
ADD/ADHD. They are; stimulants and non-stimulants.
Both types are known to have side effects that can be very
uncomfortable or could potentially be life threatening so it's very
important to know the difference.
Stimulant Drugs
Stimulant drugs are usually administered to people with moderate to severe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. They work by affecting how the brain controls impulses. The drugs stimulate the brain's chemical messengers called neurotransmitters which are responsible for controlling attention, impulse, and hyperactivity.
It is not known specifically how the stimulant drugs impact the neurotransmitters, but decades of use show that stimulants are very effective. While there is no cure for ADD/ADHD, the stimulant drugs are reported to have a 75% to 95% success rate for treating the symptoms. Though highly effective, the use of stimulant drugs is also quite controversial.
Stimulant drugs are known to have awful side effects which often prevent people from taking them. Among these side effects are: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headaches, dry mouth, increased blood pressure, dizziness, insomnia and even death.
When parents see their children suffering from these side
effects, many stop administering the drugs completely. But doctors
usually recommend that patients lower their dosage or switch to a
different ADHD Medication instead of halting treatment all together.
Here is a list of stimulant drugs most commonly used to treat
ADD/ADHD.
Adderall (mixed salts of a single entity amphetamine
product) Tablets
Adderall
XR (mixed salts of a single entity amphetamine
product) Extended-Release Capsules
Concerta
(methylphenidate hydrochloride) Extended-Release Tablets
Cylert (pemoline)
Daytrana
(methylphenidate) Transdermal System
Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine sulfate) Spansule
Capsules and Tablets
Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine)
Focalin (dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride) Tablets
Focalin XR
(dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride) Extended-Release Capsules
Metadate CD (methylphenidate hydrochloride)
Extended-Release Capsules
Methylin (methylphenidate hydrochloride) Oral
Solution and Chewable Tablets
Ritalin (methylphenidate hydrochloride) Tablets
Ritalin SR (methylphenidate hydrochloride)
Sustained-Release Tablets
Ritalin LA (methylphenidate hydrochloride)
Extended-Release Capsules
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine
dimesylate) Extended-Release Capsules
Non-Stimulant Drugs
In November 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
approved the first and only non-controlled drug for the treatment of
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The medication, manufactured
by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, is called Strattera
(atomoxetine HCl). It is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
and works differently than all of the stimulant drugs.
Because
it is a non-stimulant ADHD medication, Strattera doesn't have most of
the side effects. But in December 2004 the FDA did order the
manufacturer to update the labeling to include a bold warning about the
potential for severe liver damage. This was following two reports in
patients who had been treated with Strattera for several months, both
of whom recovered. Strattera has also been associated with suicide
risks in kids.
Overall, while Strattera appears to have
fewer side effects, studies show that stimulant drugs are more
effective. Therefore, every ADHD medication needs to be weighed very
carefully.
Other Types of Medications
When both the stimulant and non-stimulant medications appear ineffective, doctors often turn to other types of drugs to help with ADD/ADHD symptoms.
Patients are sometimes prescribed anti-depressant,
anti-anxiety, anti-psychotic or mood stabilizing drugs. But because
these drugs aren't specifically approved for treating ADD/ADHD, you
should work very closely with your doctor before taking them.
PBS Special - "The Medicated Child"
Many parents of children diagnosed with ADHD are often later told their child has Bipolar Disorder, then depression, then anxiety and the list goes on. And some of the drugs used to treat ADHD are also used to treat these other disorders.
RAIN Media and Frontline
have produced a documentary called
The Medicated Child. It tells the
stories of children who are on ADHD and other "psychotic" medications
and how the drugs have affected them over several years. You can watch
the documentary online at PBS or by clicking here.
You MUST SEE this documentary before you
start down the road of putting your child on any type of ADHD
medication.
Disclaimer: The above information is not provided by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider regarding your medical condition. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read on this website.
