5Medication and Stimulants
Medication to treat ADHD is another approach to help patients manage their symptoms and control their behaviors. To be more specific, medication treatment can further be grouped into two main categories: stimulants and non-stimulants.
Stimulant, including methylphenidate (Ritalin & Concerta) and amphetamine (Adderall), is the most common drug prescribed for ADHD, and it also comes to the first option when a doctor considers a medication treatment.
As the first course of medication treatment, stimulants work by increasing the level of particular hormones (neurotransmitters) associated with mood and attention, thus reducing depresses and boosting focus.
Non-stimulants
Non-stimulants, such as FDA-approved Strattera (atomoxetine), Kapvay (clonidine er), Intuniv (Guanfacine), and Qelbree (SPN-812), have a smoother therapeutic effect and cause less bad responses like anxiety, sleep problems, nausea, and lack of appetite. However, the newer option is second-line medication treatment because it takes longer to start working. Other varieties of non-stimulant ADHD medication are antidepressants (Wellbutrin), blood pressure medications (Tenex), wakefulness-promoting medications (Provigil), and anti-viral medications (Symmetrel).
