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Safest ADHD Drugs

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD or ADD) is often treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. The disorder can take many forms, and it should only be treated by a licensed psychiatrist, preferably one familiar with the unique issues that ADHD presents. Because each patient is different, closely monitored trial and error is the best method to determine which drugs are safest.

  1. Stimulants

    • Stimulants increase activity in the brain's frontal lobe and stimulate dopamine output in the basal ganglia. Long-term side effects can include high blood pressure, and there is a risk of addiction. This class of drugs includes methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), amphetamine salt combination (Adderall) and methamphetamine slow-release tabs (Desoxyn Gradumet).

    Tricyclic Antidepressants

    • Tricyclic antidepressants increase dopamine and/or norepinephrine in the brain; it may take several weeks for symptoms to improve. Side effects include drowsiness, weight gain and increased anxiety. These drugs should not be taken with other medications. Commonly used tricyclics include desipramine (Norpramin), amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortryptiline (Pamelor) and clomipramine (Anafranil).

    Blood Pressure Medication

    • Under the supervision of a physician, guanfacine (Tenex) and propranolol (Inderal) can be safely mixed with stimulants to control ADHD symptoms. They can also mitigate the side effects of stimulants.

    Anti-Seizure Medication

    • Gabapentin (Neurontin) and lamotrigine (Lamictal) are used to treat ADHD patients who exhibit temporal lobe damage, which can lead to uncontrollable aggression and anger, often accompanied by headaches. The dosage of anti-seizure medication must be lowered slowly to prevent the onset of withdrawal symptoms.

    Anti-Obsessive Medication

    • SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) can help treat the over-focused ADHD patient when used with a stimulant. These drugs, however, may require months of use before benefits can be seen; side effects include nausea, sleep difficulties and problems with sexual performance.

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