ADHD Alternative Medications for Teenagers

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, affects children, teens and adults.
When treating ADHD in teens, there are options available. Parents should consult with their family physician when seeking alternative medications to treat symptoms of ADHD in teens.

Seeking Alternative Medication

• A teen diagnosed with ADHD can have poor concentration, sleep disturbances and bad behaviors and may struggle to focus on tasks. Often, doctors will prescribe stimulant medication such as Strattera and Ritalin to treat the symptoms of ADHD. The stimulant actually will produce a calming effect, due in part to the activity of the neurotransmitters. One of the problems with traditional forms of medication to treat ADHD in teens is that these medications are highly addictive. Such medications are often shared with peers and used for recreational purposes instead of their intended use.
  Alternative medications such as tricyclics, which are an older generation of antidepressants, show promising results when treating teens with ADHD.
  Tricyclics are a good alternative because they work on the three neurotransmitters that control mood. Drugs such as Wellbutrin and Butriptyline work by delaying the release of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine, which brings a sense of calmness and balance to a patient's mood. Teens taking tricyclics can expect to see symptom relief within two to four weeks after starting the medication. The length of time a teen stays on tricyclics is up to his doctor or clinician.
  In addition to taking alternative medications, teens diagnosed with ADHD should remove sugar, food coloring and food additives from their diet to help enhance symptom relief.