Stimulants are the most widely used treatment for ADHD. These psychoactive medicines are the best-documented and most rapidly effective treatments for most patients with ADHD. Stimulant medications can also be used together with certain behavioral treatments which also have well-documented effectiveness for most diagnosed patients. Although these medications are proven to be effective, its effect varies depending on each client.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics Guideline, it is important to note the well-documented superiority of stimulants for most children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. Stimulants are not only more effective for those with this condition but also safer than most other drugs. An exception, however, is pemoline or Cylert which in rare cases can cause liver necrosis and can result to the need for liver transplant or even death.
The two best-documented stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine. Common examples of methylphenidate are Ritalin, Concerta, Methylin, Metadate and Focalin. For amphetamine, examples include Adderall and Dexedrine. The most important point about stimulants is that if the first one fails, the child still has a good chance of responding well to another drug under the same class. Studies show that about two thirds of children diagnosed with ADHD respond satisfactorily to either methylphenidate or amphetamine.
When taking these medications, it is important for the physician to emphasize to the parents the significance of carefully monitoring the side effects of these medications. The advantages of stimulant medication for ADHD includes specifically treating ADHD core symptoms of inattention, overactivity and impulsivity, medically safer than most psychoactive drugs and its results can be seen immediately. In 90 percent of ADHD cases, stimulants are seen to be effective especially if two or more of these drugs are tried in succession.
However, just like any other medications, these stimulants also have a number of side effects and disadvantages. Mild side effects may include muscle cramps, headaches, tics, sleep disturbances, and dizziness. More serious problems that may come along when taking these medications are loss of appetite, anorexia, increased heart rate, changes in blood pressure, depression, hallucinations, and delayed growth and development.
Buspirone, antihistamine, neuroleptics, and anticonvulsants are other ADHD drug classes that have been found somehow useful. However, these drugs are seldom prescribed to children with ADHD because of the many serious side effects and risks that it may cause such as hypotensive dizziness, risk of seizures, liver toxicity, endocrine effects, and sudden deaths.
It is important for families of children with ADHD to consult experts with regards to the condition of their children. Physician will evaluate the need for using these medications for their children. Parents must ask the physician to discuss with them all the possible benefits and risks of taking these medications so that they will be able to make well-informed decisions with regards to the treatment and management for their children.
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