Stimulant medicines

Stimulant medicines increase the levels of certain brain chemicals, which are often low in people with ADHD. It is thought that by raising these levels, stimulants increase activity in the areas of the brain that control attention, self-control, and concentration, which can help people with ADHD.

Stimulant medicines may include:

• Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin).
• Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse).
• Methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate CD, Methylin, Ritalin).
• Mixed salts amphetamine (Adderall).

Common side effects include loss of appetite, a headache, and an upset stomach. Your child may also have mood changes or sleep problems. Your child may feel nervous.

Some stimulant medicines can cause a dry mouth.

These medicines may be related to slower growth in children. This is more likely in the first year a child takes the medicine. But these medicines may not affect a child's final height as an adult. Your doctor will keep track of your child's growth and will watch for problems.

If these medicines have bothersome side effects or don't work for your child, the doctor might prescribe another type of medicine.

If your child takes medicine for ADHD, keep these things in mind:

• Stimulant medicines may be related to slower growth in children. This happens more in the first year of taking the medicine. But these medicines may not affect a child's final height as an adult. Your doctor will keep track of your child's growth and will watch for problems.
• Some medicines used to treat ADHD (such as stimulants) can be misused. Make sure that your child knows not to sell or give medicine to other people. An adult should supervise the medicine.
• Some parents worry that taking stimulants will increase their child's risk for developing a substance use disorder later in life. But research has shown that these medicines, when taken correctly, don't affect a child's risk for having problems with substance use later on.

Even though medicine can help improve your child's symptoms, it can't solve all of your child's behavior problems. Your child may also benefit from counseling, behavior therapy, or social skills training.