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Side Effects of ADHD Medicine

ADHD, short for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a medical condition characterized by hyperactive, inattentive and impulsive behavior. Many individuals diagnosed with ADHD treat this disorder with prescribed medications. Most physicians prescribe stimulants containing either methylphenidate or amphetamine salts, which tend to make ADHD patients more calm and focused. While ADHD medications can help to reduce the problematic symptoms of ADHD, the medicines also have a few common side effects.

  1. Decreased Appetite

    • One of the common side effects of ADHD medicine is decreased appetite levels. This side effect is far more common in children than in adults. If a child is losing too much weight, parents should make sure that he eats several healthy, high-calorie snacks during the course of the day. Snacks should include a protein and a carbohydrate. Good choices include peanut butter with apples, crackers and cheese, toast and hard-boiled eggs and bagels with milk.

    Headaches

    • Headaches are another common side effect of ADHD medicine. Taking the medication with food might help to get rid of the headaches. Sometimes the headaches are caused by the medication wearing off too quickly, which is called a "rebound effect." These rebound effect headaches are far more common in patients who are taking short-acting ADHD medications. Patients should talk to their doctors about switching to a longer-acting ADHD medicine.

    Gastrointestinal Distress

    • Many individuals who take stimulant medications to control ADHD symptoms also suffer from stomach aches, diarrhea, constipation or abdominal pains. These stomach problems typically disappear after the first few weeks. The body often just needs time to get used to the ADHD medicine. Those who have gastrointestinal distress should try taking the medication with a meal to see if it bothers their stomach less. These people should also try eating their evening meal later than usual, timing it for when the ADHD medicine has worn off.

    Insomnia

    • Another side effect of ADHD medicines is insomnia. Individuals who have trouble falling asleep at night should try to settle into a bedtime routine that includes relaxing and enjoying a quiet activity for at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Quiet activities include reading a book, putting together a jigsaw puzzle or meditating. Coloring often helps young children to relax. Because ADHD patients need consistency in their schedules, they should attempt to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning.

    Moodiness

    • While most ADHD medicines make patients calmer and happier, some individuals become extremely quiet and moody. Extreme mood changes could indicate that the dosage is too high. However, if the mood changes occur around the same time every day, it is probably a sign that the ADHD medicine is wearing off. This rebound effect typically indicates the patient needs an additional short-acting dose of medication or a change in ADHD medication.

    Rare Side Effects

    • There are some serious side effects which affect only a small percentage of individuals taking ADHD medicine. These rare side effects include chest pain, breathing difficulties, vomiting and racing heart rates. Some children experience episodes of mania, delusional thinking and auditory or visual hallucinations when they start taking ADHD stimulant medications. Medical researchers believe that the medicines simply amplify existing mental conditions; they don't trigger psychotic episodes in mentally healthy children.

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