What Is ADHD Medicine?
After a child is diagnosed with ADHD, doctors may prescribe medicine to help with symptoms. Medicine doesn't cure ADHD. But it does boost a child's ability to pay attention, slow down, and have more self-control.
It's important to understand that medication is just one part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes therapy, parent training, and school support.
Why Do Kids Need ADHD Medicine?
Not every child with ADHD needs medicine. But medicine can help most kids with ADHD stay focused longer, listen better, and fidget less.
Medicine and Therapy Work Together
Kids also benefit from behavioral therapy to learn and practice skills like staying organized or waiting their turn without interrupting. Medicine isn't a shortcut — kids still need to work on mastering these skills. The benefit of medicine is it helps kids stay focused as they learn them.
Medicine works best when parents, teachers, and therapists help kids learn any social, emotional, and behavioral skills that are lagging because of ADHD. For most kids, it's helpful to do both medicine and therapy.
Key Points
- • Medicine is one part of treatment for ADHD
- • Treatment also includes therapy, parent training, and school support
- • Medicine helps kids stay focused while learning skills
- • Most kids benefit from combining medicine with therapy
How Do ADHD Medicines Work?
ADHD medicines improve attention by helping normal brain chemicals work better.
Brain Chemistry
The medicines target two brain chemicals, dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals affect attention and concentration.
Dopamine
Plays a key role in motivation, reward, and attention. ADHD medications help increase dopamine levels in the brain.
Norepinephrine
Involved in attention, alertness, and focus. Medications help optimize norepinephrine activity.
How Do People Take ADHD Medicine?
Kids and teens with ADHD can take different medicines. They usually take them once or twice a day, depending on the medicine. All ADHD medicines need a prescription.
Forms of Medication
- • Tablets — swallowed, chewed, or dissolved
- • Capsules — swallowed or opened and sprinkled on food
- • Liquid — for children who have trouble swallowing pills
- • Patch — placed on the skin (transdermal)
Stimulants
These medicines include methylphenidate (brand names include Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin, Daytrana), and amphetamines (e.g., Adderall, Dexedrine, Vyvanse).
Stimulants work as soon as someone takes them. How long they last depends on the medicine:
Short-Acting Formulas
- • Last for about 3–6 hours
- • May need to be taken multiple times per day
- • Can provide more flexibility in timing
- • Examples: Ritalin, Focalin (short-acting)
Long-Acting Formulas
- • Stay in the body for about 10–12 hours
- • Usually taken once in the morning
- • Helpful for older kids and teens who have a long school day
- • Need the medicine to stay focused for homework or after-school activities
- • Examples: Concerta, Adderall XR, Vyvanse
Non-Stimulants
These medicines include atomoxetine (Strattera), clonidine (Kapvay), guanfacine (Intuniv), and viloxazine (Quelbree).
How They Work:
- • Non-stimulants can take up to a few weeks to start working
- • Then, they work for 24 hours
- • May be used when stimulants aren't effective or cause side effects
- • Can be used alone or in combination with stimulants
- • Good option for kids with anxiety or tics
How Doctors Prescribe ADHD Medicine
Before Prescribing
Before prescribing medicine, the health care team will ask if your child is taking any other medicines. That includes over-the-counter medicines and supplements (like vitamins or herbal medicines). The care team will also want to know about your family's medical history, especially if any family members have (or had) heart disease.
Starting Treatment
Doctors usually start by prescribing a low dose of a stimulant medicine. If your child is taking a new ADHD medicine or dose, the doctor will want you to watch and see if the medicine helps. The doctor will change the dose and how often your child takes the medicine based on how much it helps and if your child has any side effects.
Finding the Right Medicine
Kids respond differently to medicines. If the first medicine doesn't seem to work, even at the highest dose, a doctor may try a different medicine. Some kids need to take more than one ADHD medicine to get the best result.
It may take several weeks or months to find the right medicine and dose for your child. This is normal and requires patience and close communication with your healthcare team.
How Can Parents Help?
Lifestyle Support
Make sure your child has a good sleep schedule and eats a nutritious diet. This will help them manage their ADHD.
- • Establish consistent sleep routines
- • Ensure adequate sleep (varies by age)
- • Provide balanced, nutritious meals
- • Limit processed foods and sugar
- • Encourage regular physical activity
Working with the Care Team
- • Work with the care team to create a medicine schedule that works best for your family
- • They will want to know how your child is doing at home and at school
- • Stay in touch with your child's teachers to see how things are going
- • Let your child's doctor know if you notice any side effects from the medicine
- • Keep track of when symptoms occur and how medication affects them
Follow-Up Visits
Take your child to all follow-up visits.
It's important for the care team to check your child's height, weight, blood pressure, and heart rate. The care team will also look for side effects. They may adjust the medicine dose, especially as your child grows.
- • You may need to go for several visits with the doctor
- • It might take weeks or months to find the right medicine and dose
- • After that, the care team will want to see your child every 3–6 months
- • Regular monitoring ensures the medication continues to work safely
Medication Safety
To help your child and prevent problems:
- • Give the recommended dose — never adjust without doctor's approval
- • Give each medicine at the right time — consistency is important
- • Talk to a doctor before stopping the medicine or changing the dose — sudden changes can cause problems
- • Keep all medicines in a safe place — where others can't get to them
- • Use a pill organizer — to help remember doses
- • Set reminders — alarms or phone apps can help
Are There Any Risks?
Like any medicine, ADHD medicines can have side effects. Not everyone gets side effects, though.
Most Common Side Effects
Loss of Appetite
Very common, especially with stimulants. May affect growth, so monitoring is important.
Trouble Sleeping
Insomnia or difficulty falling asleep, especially with longer-acting stimulants.
Other Possible Side Effects
- • Jitteriness — feeling shaky or nervous
- • Irritability — mood changes, especially as medication wears off
- • Moodiness — emotional ups and downs
- • Headaches — usually temporary
- • Stomachaches — may occur, especially initially
- • Fast heart rate — requires monitoring
- • High blood pressure — needs regular checks
- • Motor tics — involuntary movements (rare)
Understanding Side Effects
Side effects usually happen in the first few days of starting a new medicine or taking a higher dose. They often go away on their own after a few days or weeks as the body adjusts to the medicine.
If a side effect doesn't go away, a doctor may decide to lower the dose or stop that medicine and try another. ADHD medicines only stay in the body for a few hours, so the side effects wear off as the medicine leaves the body.
Your child's health care team will give you more information about possible side effects for the specific medicine they prescribe. If you notice anything that worries you, talk to your child's doctor right away.
Addressing Parent Concerns
Some parents don't like the idea of giving their child medicine for ADHD. This is understandable, and it's important to have your concerns addressed.
But the right medicine can make a big difference for most kids. Talk to your child's doctor about your concerns. Ask questions. The health care team can help you decide if trying a medicine is right for your child.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor:
- • What are the benefits and risks of this medication?
- • What side effects should we watch for?
- • How will we know if it's working?
- • What happens if we decide not to use medication?
- • Are there alternatives to medication?
- • How long will my child need to take this?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Will my child become dependent on ADHD medication?
A: When taken as prescribed under medical supervision, ADHD medications are safe and effective. There's no evidence that children who take ADHD medication as prescribed become addicted. In fact, untreated ADHD may increase the risk of substance abuse later in life. However, it's important to keep medications secure and monitor for any misuse.
Q: Will medication stunt my child's growth?
A: Some studies suggest that stimulants may cause slight delays in growth, but this is usually temporary and most children catch up. Your doctor will monitor your child's height and weight regularly. Any concerns about growth will be addressed by adjusting the medication or treatment plan.
Q: What if my child forgets to take their medication?
A: If your child misses a dose:
- • Don't double up on the next dose
- • Give the missed dose if it's not too late in the day
- • For long-acting medications, check with your doctor about timing
- • Establish routines to help remember (e.g., with breakfast, using pill organizers)
- • Work with school nurse if medication needs to be given at school
Q: Can my child stop taking medication during school breaks?
A: Some families choose "drug holidays" during breaks, but this should be discussed with your doctor. ADHD affects more than just school performance — it can impact relationships, safety, and daily functioning. Your doctor can help you decide what's best for your child based on their individual needs.
Q: How long will my child need to take medication?
A: There's no set timeline. Some children need medication throughout their school years, while others may learn coping strategies that allow them to reduce or stop medication. Some continue into adulthood. The decision should be made with your healthcare team based on your child's progress, needs, and goals. Regular re-evaluation is important.
Q: What if medication doesn't work for my child?
A: If one medication doesn't work, there are options:
- • Try a different medication or type (stimulant vs. non-stimulant)
- • Adjust the dosage
- • Try a combination of medications
- • Focus more on behavioral therapy and other non-medication strategies
- • Ensure medication is being taken correctly and consistently
- • Work closely with your doctor to find the right solution
Key Takeaways
Part of Treatment
Medication is one part of comprehensive ADHD treatment
Individualized Care
Finding the right medication and dose takes time and monitoring
Team Approach
Work with your healthcare team for the best results
⚠️ Important Note
This article provides general information and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. All ADHD medications require a prescription and should be taken only under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider. Always consult your child's doctor about medication decisions, dosing, side effects, and any concerns you may have. Never adjust, start, or stop medication without medical guidance.