Medications For Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder

Medications for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder is not the same for all ADHD patients. Side effects of the medications may vary from person to person. At other times, patients are asked to try not only one medication or drug dose to see what works out the best for the patient. Medications have unpleasant side effects and therefore, monitoring of the child taking the medication should be done from time to time. Furthermore, because of the presence of other conditions, the medications and treatment plan of each people with ADHD are different with one another. ADHD is a disorder that may or may not coexist with other health conditions, but most of the time, ADHD is accompanied by another disorder such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, and conduct disorders.

There are two main medications for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder, the stimulants and non-stimulant medications. These medications may come in liquid, skin patches, pills or capsules. They are also available in short-acting, extended-release or long-acting forms. The long-acting and extended-release forms of medications can be taken once a day only, preventing frequent trips of the child to the school clinic for second or third doses that are given by the school nurse. The most common medication for ADHD treatment includes Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall. According to CDC or Center for Disease Control, 70 - 80% of children having ADHD had positive results with stimulant medications.

Stimulants are the most often used of the treatment medications for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder. It may not seem correct to stimulate a child with hyperactivity but stimulants actually calm a person with ADHD. Non-stimulant medications work out well, in a different way, with ADHD. These medications work on reducing the symptoms of ADHD which are hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention and also, increasing their attention, focus and eventually work on learning something.

Every drug has its own side effects. Parents should not worry about side effects lest they occur and instead, they should just help the child manage the side effects for relief and more comfort. The common side effects of stimulant medications are sleeping problems, decreased appetite in eating, irritability and anxiety. Stomachaches and headaches are also reported by some of the children taking stimulant drugs. For the children with decreased appetite to eat, parents and guardians should make sure that the child eats healthy food whenever he or she is eating. For sleeping problems, relaxing techniques may help such as soft music, warm milk and dim light. Other side effects that are not so common include the development of tics and personality changes. Tics are sounds or movement of the face that are repetitive. If tics occur, it's not that noticeable. The most common personality change that happened to a child taking medications for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder is appearing blank face and flat, without any hint of emotion. If these side effects worsens and became quite troublesome, it is best to seek the child's physician so the dosage will be lowered. However, if adverse reactions of the stimulants occur, consulting the physician is always the best to be done.

These medications do not cure the disorder. These medications are taken by the child with ADHD to manage and control the symptoms of the disorder. By giving the child these drugs for ADHD, the unpleasant behavior of the child is diminished and reduced, but the disorder is still there. But by these treatments, the child will be able to function more normally and they will be able to focus on certain important things of childhood most especially in learning and education.

More Information

1. Attention Deficit Disorder And Medication: The Basics
2. Strattera - A New ADHD Medication - This drug has been used more successfully with adults. Adult man have shown many side effects.