ADHD is rapidly becoming the most diagnosed childhood disorder. The disorder continues through adolescence and adulthood over half the time. Symptoms include problems with paying attention and staying focused, impulsivity or erratic behavior, and hyperactivity that often turns to restlessness over time. The disorder co-exist with other mental health concerns in about seven out of ten cases making answering the question as to what medicine is prescribed for ADHD not necessarily as clear-cut as one would initially believe.
Twenty years ago few people were talking about ADHD (then known as ADD) and even fewer wanted to know what medicine is prescribed for ADHD. At that time there was still a great deal of skepticism about the existence of the disorder itself prompting physicians to prescribe medication to help manage symptoms only about 0.06 percent of the time.
Today it is an entirely different story as the total number of cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children age 4 to 17 has increased from 7.8 percent in 2003 to 10.5 percent today. Experts estimate that six out of every ten children diagnosed with ADHD are on some type of ADHD medication. Of these medications stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall remain the most widely prescribed but by no means are they the only ones. This is especially true for adults who have a higher incidence of co-existing conditions such as depression, bi-polar disorder, and anxiety.
Stimulant medications now come in a variety of forms and brands. They do provide some short-term benefit but recent studies seem to suggest that the longer they are taken the less effective they become. Additionally, they provide no healing or lasting benefit for once they are discontinued any benefit derived will be lost.
What medicine is prescribed for ADHD - Stimulants
*Methylphenidate. Marketed as Ritalin, Concerta, and Focalin, just to name a few, these drugs are the go to drug for treating ADHD by doctors and mental health professionals. Methylphenidates are prescribed for both children and adults. Different brands use different delivery systems. There is also a difference in the time it takes for the drugs to take effect, stay in the bloodstream, and the number of side effects to be expected. Methylphenidate can be prescribed in many forms including short-acting, long-acting, and sustained release.
*Salts of D- and L-Amphetamine (Adderall). One of the oldest forms of pharmaceuticals used to treat ADHD is D-Amphetamine (Dexedrine). Adderall employs similar action with the exception of having more impact on the neurotransmitter brain chemical norepinephrine.
Other stimulants: Methamphetamine (Dexoxyn), Pemoline (Cylert), Vyvanse (a newer version of Adderall), Modafinil (Provigil).
What medicine is prescribed for ADHD - Non-stimulants
The two primary names in this area are Strattera and Intuniv (Guanfacine). These drugs work similarly to antidepressant medications by strengthening the chemical signal between nerves that depend on the neurotransmitter norepinephrine to send messages. Unlike serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Strattera and Intuniv do not impact serotonin levels in the brain. Non-stimulant medications are used primarily by doctors to manage ADHD symptoms in patients who cannot tolerate stimulant drugs.
Side effects include: nausea, vomiting, insomnia, anxiety, headache, and abdominal pain. In adults non-stimulant medications can interfere with sexual performance.
Other medications: Tricyclic antidepressant may be used in treating adults when anxiety and depression are present. MAOIs are a last resort treatment for adults when all other treatments have failed. Estrogen replacement therapy may be prescribed for adult women with ADHD to alleviate depression and improve memory and attention span.
In conclusion, what medicine is prescribed for ADHD is somewhat of an open-ended subject when it comes to adults due to the high incidence of co-existing mental health conditions. For children, on the other hand, doctors will typically prescribe stimulant medications primarily, and non-stimulant medications secondarily, both of which come with a long list of possible side effects.
The side effect risks involved with these drugs has sent many searching for a safe way to manage attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms. Two of the most widely accepted non-prescription alternatives are behavioral therapy and homeopathic ADHD remedies. Alterative ADHD treatments such as these can be used in conjunction with one another. Not only are alternative ADHD treatments generally very safe but may even produce lasting benefits once discontinued.
Robert D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic consumer advocate for natural health and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field. To learn more about ADHD along with information about natural herbal and homeopathic ADHD remedies Click Here
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