What Is ADHD Medicine?
After someone is diagnosed with ADHD,
doctors may prescribe medicine to treat it. Medicine doesn't cure ADHD. But it does
help boost the ability to pay attention, slow down, and have more self-control.
Why Do People Need ADHD Medicine?
Not everyone with ADHD needs medicine. But medicine can help most people with ADHD
stay focused longer, listen better, and fidget less.
People also benefit from therapy
to learn and practice skills like staying organized, managing schoolwork, or dealing
with stress. Medicine isn't a shortcut to mastering these skills. But it does help
people stay focused on learning them.
How Does ADHD Medicine Work?
ADHD medicines improve attention by helping normal brain chemicals work better.
The medicines target two brain chemicals, dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals
affect a person's attention and concentration.
How Do People Take ADHD Medicine?
People with ADHD can take different medicines. All of them need a prescription.
People usually take ADHD medicines once or twice a day, depending on the medicine.
Stimulants
These medicines include methylphenidate (brand names include Ritalin, Concerta,
Daytrana, Focalin), and amphetamines (e.g., Adderall, Dexedrine, Vyvanse).
Stimulants work as soon as you take them. How long they last depends on the medicine:
- Short-acting formulas last for about 4 hours.
- Long-acting formulas stay in the body for up to 12 hours. They
can be helpful for people who have a long school day and need the medicine to stay
focused for homework or after-school activities.
Non-stimulants
These medicines include atomoxetine (Strattera), clonidine (Kapvay), and guanfacine
(Intuniv). Non-stimulants can take up to a few weeks to start working. They work for
24 hours.
Before prescribing medicine, the health care team will ask if you are taking any
other medicines. This includes over-the-counter medicines and supplements (like vitamins
or herbal medicines). The care team will also want to know about your family's medical
history, especially if any family members had or have heart disease.
Doctors usually start by prescribing a low dose of a stimulant medicine. If you
are taking a new ADHD medicine or dose, the doctor will want you and your parent to
watch and see if the medicine helps.
People respond differently to medicines. If the first
medicine doesn't seem to work, even at the highest dose, then a doctor may try a different
medicine. Some people need to take more than one ADHD medicine to get the best result.