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Medicines for ADHD in Children

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have difficulty maintaining focus and controlling body movements. Medications that treat ADHD include stimulants and nonstimulants; doctors may prescribe additional medications to treat other symptoms.

  1. Stimulant Medications

    • Stimulants do carry a risk of side effects. Though it may seem strange to give an overstimulated child a stimulant, in reality these drugs have proved to be very successful in treating ADHD symptoms. They boost neurotransmitters in the brain helping to overcome inattentiveness and hyperactivity. Some children with ADHD may be able to take long-acting doses of these medications once per day, while others children must take short-acting doses throughout the day. Ritalin or Vyvanse are common examples of these medications. Children who take them for ADHD commonly experience a loss of appetite or trouble sleeping. Weight loss also can occur as a result of diminished appetite, and some children can become moody or irritable as the effects of the medications wear off.
      Stimulants do carry a risk of side effects. Children who take them for ADHD symptoms commonly experience a loss of appetite or trouble sleeping. Weight loss also can occur as a result of diminished appetite, and some children can become moody or irritable as the effects of the drugs wear off.

    Nonstimulant Medication

    • Some children with ADHD experience too many side effects with stimulants, and others may have no successful reaction with them. When this occurs, doctors may prescribe a nonstimulant medication known as atomoxetine (Strattera). Atomoxetine reduces ADHD symptoms such as inattention and hyperactivity, and also can be successful in treating anxiety.
      Atomoxetine can cause a loss of appetite and weight loss in patients who take it. It also can cause nausea and lethargy. In rare cases, some children who took this drug experienced harmful effects on the liver, so parents and doctors should monitor their condition. In addition, there is some concern that nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine can cause suicidal tendencies in children and teens; however, no actual case of suicide has been linked to the drug to date.

    Other Medications

    • In addition to treating ADHD symptoms with stimulants and nonstimulants, doctors may prescribe medications such as clonidine or guanfacine. Though these drugs are taken for high blood pressure, they have been found to be successful in treating ADHD symptoms. In particular, these drugs can be helpful for children who have trouble sleeping or have developed a nervous tic as a result of other ADHD medications they are taking. Children who do not respond to other ADHD medications, or those who are being treated for both ADHD and a mood disorder, also may take antidepressants, such as Zoloft or Lexapro. Parents and doctors should exercise caution with this treatment due to concerns about suicide and teens and children who take certain antidepressants.

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