ADHD drugs are available in short-acting (immediate-release), intermediate-acting, and long-acting forms. It may take some time for a doctor to find the best drug, dosage, and schedule for someone with ADHD.

Stimulants for ADHD

A class of drugs called psychostimulants or stimulants have been used to effectively treat ADHD for years. These medicines help users to focus their thoughts and ignore distractions. Stimulant medications are effective in 70% to 80% of patients.

Stimulants are used to treat both moderate and severe ADHD. They may be helpful in children, adolescents, and adults who are having difficulty with ADHD symptoms at school or at work, as well as at home. Some stimulants are approved for use in children over 3, while others are approved for children over 6.

Stimulant drugs to treat ADHD include:

Adderall and Adderall XR
Concerta
Dexedrine
Focalin and Focalin XR
Metadate CD and Metadate ER
Methylin
Ritalin, Ritalin LA
Vyvanse
Desoxyn

Note that only some of these stimulants, like Adderall XR, Concerta, Vyvanse, and Focalin XR, are FDA-approved for adults.

Nonstimulant Drugs Approved to Treat ADHD

In cases where stimulants don’t work or cause unpleasant side effects, nonstimulants might help. The first nonstimulant medication, Strattera, was approved by the FDA in 2003. It's now used in children, adolescents, and adults. In 2009, the FDA approved a second nonstimulant drug, Intuniv, for children and teens between ages 6 and 17. Both medications improve concentration and impulse control.

What Other Medications Are Used to Treat ADHD?

When stimulants and nonstimulants are not effective or well-tolerated, several other medications are available to treat ADHD. These medications include:

Pamelor or other tricyclic antidepressants
Catapres or Tenex
Wellbutrin
Effexor

Side Effects of ADHD Drugs

ADHD drugs sometimes have side effects, but these tend to happen early in treatment and are usually mild and short-lived. The most common side effects of ADHD drugs include:

Decreased appetite/weight loss
Sleep problems
Headaches
Jitteriness
Social withdrawal
Stomachaches

Rarely, medications for ADHD can cause more serious side effects. For instance, some stimulants are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular problems and sudden death. They may also exacerbate psychiatric conditions like depression or anxiety. So before you or your children start taking any ADHD medication, make sure you talk to a doctor about all of the potential risks.

In most cases, side effects can be relieved using one of the following strategies: