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Risks of Medicating ADHD Children

If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, you may have some concerns about giving her medication. Many medications have serious side effects or are only useful short term.

  1. Medications

    • Stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidates are the most common medications used to treat ADHD. Common amphetamines are Dexedrine, Desoxyn and Adderall. Methylphenidates are available as Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate and Focalin.

    Common Side Effects

    • The most common side effects of these medications include nervousness, insomnia, loss of appetite, stunted growth, tolerance resulting in constant need to increase the dosage, or addiction.

    Serious Side Effects

    • Some less common, but more serious, side effects include heart problems, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, paranoia and hallucinations.

    Misdiagnosis

    • Many medications that are helpful in treating ADHD aggravate other conditions. Have a full psychological evaluation done on your child before consenting to any treatment or medications.

    Warning

    • If your child is currently on medication for ADHD, do not stop the medication without speaking to your doctor. Stopping medications suddenly may cause serious psychological problems.

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