If you've been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you're probably considering your treatment options. Medication is a key part of ADHD treatment, so it's a good idea to know what drugs are available and how they work. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about common ADHD medications:
Will medication cure my ADHD?
Current ADHD medications won't cure ADHD. But when you take them as prescribed, they can help you manage your symptoms.
What medications are used to treat ADHD?
Stimulants and nonstimulants are the most common medications for ADHD. These come in various forms, including pills, powders, and patches.
Stimulants are usually the first choice for ADHD treatment, but they can also have more side effects. The nonstimulants amantadine and atomoxetine have been used effectively in treating ADHD. The tricyclic antidepressants imipramine and nortriptyline may be used to treat ADHD, as can the antidepressant bupropion.
How do stimulants for ADHD work?
People with ADHD have abnormally low levels of dopamine, a type of brain chemical called a neurotransmitter that's important for motivation and attention, according to Nora Volkow, MD, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health and a neuroscientist who has studied ADHD's effect on the brain. Stimulants increase dopamine in the brain, she says, and temporarily replace the missing dopamine.
Which stimulant works best?
All stimulants for ADHD have the same potential benefit. But because different medications and dosages affect people in different ways, it's difficult to predict who will benefit and who won't. To find out, you have to try the medications—under the care of a healthcare provider (HCP), of course. Effectiveness of ADHD medications must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Work with your HCP or psychiatrist to find the right medication or combo of medications for you and to adjust the dose so it works with the fewest side effects.
What about nonstimulants?
Nonstimulants are used less often to treat ADHD. They offer an alternative for people who can't take or don't like taking stimulants. Many stimulants affect dopamine, while nonstimulants affect norepinephrine, says Michael Roizen, MD, Chief Wellness Officer Emeritus at Cleveland Clinic. (Norepinephrine, also known as noradrenaline, is a neurotransmitter and a hormone.)
According to Dr. Roizen, some nonstimulant drugs increase the amount of norepinephrine in the part of your brain that controls attention and behavior, while others increase the number of norepinephrine receptors so that more norepinephrine can be received.
What about side effects?
Experts agree that current stimulants and nonstimulants are safe and effective for ADHD treatment. That said, every medication has possible side effects.
The most common side effects of stimulant medications are reduced appetite, weight loss, and insomnia. Other side effects are less likely to occur. These include headaches, increased blood pressure and heart rate, tics or twitching, moodiness or feelings of irritability, and anorexia.
Side effects of the nonstimulant atomoxetine include constipation, dry mouth, dizziness and—in men—sexual side effects. In most cases, your HCP can help you reverse these side effects by changing your medication or adjusting the dose or time you take your medication.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Preventi...
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Treatment of ADHD. May 16, 2024.
