Stimulant medicines affect certain chemicals in the brain. They can help a person with ADHD to focus better. And they can make the person less hyperactive and impulsive. ADHD is treated with medicines and behavior therapy. Stimulants are the medicines used most.
Stimulant medicines may include:
Most doctors prescribe a low dose of stimulant medicines at first. Your doctor may have your child slowly increase the dose until your child's symptoms are managed. Or your child might get a different medicine or treatment. This can take several weeks.
Some doctors may advise taking a break from the medicine over some weekends, during holidays, or during the summer. But this depends on the type of symptoms your child has and the kinds of activities your child does.
Your child may need to take medicine for ADHD for a long time. But the doctor will check now and then to see if a lower dose still works.
If you want to stop or reduce your child's use of the medicine, talk to the doctor first. You may be able to lower or stop your child's medicine use if:
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.
Call your doctor if you think your child is having a problem with a medicine. You will get more details on the specific medicines your doctor prescribes.
If your child misses a dose, and if it's not too late in the day, it's okay to take it. But don't double up doses.
Some medicines for ADHD can be misused. Some people may take a larger dose than prescribed. They may take them for their non-medical effects. Or they may share or sell them. Misuse can lead to a stimulant use disorder.
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.
Make sure that your child knows not to sell or give the medicine to others.
If your child takes medicine for ADHD, keep these things in mind:
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.
Common side effects include loss of appetite, a headache, and an upset stomach. You may also have mood changes or sleep problems. Or you may feel nervous.
Some stimulant medicines can cause a dry mouth.
If these medicines have bothersome side effects or don't work for you, your doctor might prescribe another type of medicine.
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