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How to Take Medicine for ADHD
(Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder)
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From American Family Physician
- What medicines are used to treat ADHD?
- Some medicines used to treat ADHD are called psychostimulants. Some of
these drugs are methylphenidate (brand name: Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (brand
name: Dexedrine) and pemoline (brand name: Cylert). Although these medicines
have a stimulating effect in most people, they have a calming effect in
children and adults with ADHD.
Other types of medicine are also used to treat ADHD. These include clonidine
(brand name: Catapres), desipramine (brand name: Norpramin), imipramine (brand
names: Janimine, Tofranil) and buproprion (brand name: Wellbutrin).
- Do the medicines for ADHD have side effects?
- The psycho-stimulants may cause a decreased appetite, a stomachache or a
headache. The loss of appetite can cause weight loss in some people. This side
effect seems to be more common in children. Some people who take
psycho-stimulant medicines have insomnia (trouble sleeping). Here are some ways
to avoid side effects (like a fast heart beat, chest pain or vomiting) when
taking psycho-stimulants:
- Use the lowest possible dose that still controls the hyperactivity. Your
doctor will help get the dose right.
- Take the medicine with food if it bothers your stomach.
- Plan to use the weekends as drug-free days. This means, don't take any ADHD
medicines on Saturday and Sunday. Ask your doctor before you try this.
- Children who lose weight while taking medicine for ADHD can have extra
snacks during the day, such as peanut butter and crackers, granola bars or
blueberry muffins.
- How should medicine for ADHD be taken?
- It's important to take the medicine just the way your doctor says--not
more often and not less often. Follow your doctor's advice even if you think
the medicine isn't working. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you think the
medicine isn't working.
It's best to take the medicine 30 to 45 minutes before a meal. Good times to
take this medicine are before breakfast and before lunch. Lunch-time doses can
be given at school for some children. If your child can't take this medicine at
school, tell your doctor. Your doctor might choose a long-acting form of the
medicine instead. The long-acting form of this medicine should not be crushed,
broken or chewed before swallowing. The long-acting forms are taken only once a
day, right before breakfast.
It's also important to know that some of the medicines used to treat ADHD
are called "controlled" drugs. There are special rules about the way
controlled drugs can be prescribed, because these drugs could be used the wrong
way. The prescriptions for controlled drugs, like methylphenidate and
dextroamphetamine, must be refilled at the drug store every month. At some
doctors' offices, these prescriptions are only written on one day of the month.
You pick up your prescription on the same day of every month.
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How long will this treatment last?
- People with ADHD should be checked regularly by their doctors. During
these check-ups, the doctor will want to hear what the parents have to say
about a child with ADHD. The teacher's comments about the child are also
important. The doctor will want to check a person with ADHD after the medicine
dose has been changed. The length of time a person takes the medicine depends
on each person. Everyone is different. Some people only need a short treatment,
for one to two years. Some people need treatment for years. In some people,
ADHD may continue into adolescence and adulthood.
This information provides a general overview on medicines for ADHD and
may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this
information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.
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