If a child has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), parents may be wondering about medications to treat him. There are different kinds of medications for ADHD, which act in the way that parts of the brain communicate with each other. These can help improve alertness, functional memory and reduce hyperactivity.
The two major categories of ADHD drugs are stimulants and non-stimulants. These drugs, as well as other drugs that are less commonly used, are briefly described below.
Stimulating medications are the most frequently prescribed medications to treat children with ADHD. They have been used since the '60s. They are among the most studied types of drugs used in children and adults.
Stimulant drugs act on a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) called dopamine, which plays an important role in motivation and also helps control motor and emotional responses. The effects of some stimulants begin within approximately 30 minutes after dosing. Others take from 60 to 90 minutes to take effect.
According to The Guardian, the dose of a stimulant that will be effective in a person is not necessarily related to their age, their weight or the severity of their symptoms. It is more related to the degree of sensitivity of the person's body to a particular drug. Stimulants can be quick-acting, which means that the pills are usually taken two to three times a day. Or they may be long-acting or released, which means that pills are usually taken once a day.
Non-stimulant medications can be beneficial in some cases of ADHD. They are used mostly in children who do not respond to stimulants or if they produce side effects. Unlike stimulants, non-stimulant drugs work by increasing the activity of norepinephrine in the brain. This is a neurotransmitter, which like dopamine, is related to attention. According to NHS, it can take four to six weeks to see the results.
Anti-hypertensive medications are also sometimes used in the treatment of ADHD. These medications are usually prescribed to treat high blood pressure or hypertension in adults but it was discovered that in some cases they also reduce the symptoms of ADHD, specifically hyperactivity.
