Despite
an earlier study that demonstrates the superiority of medication management in helping
children who have been diagnosed with ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder, the usual course of action followed by parents is to first provide
the young ADHD patient with behavioral therapy treatment. This is an effort to avoid
making children dependent on medications at early ages. But when the behavioral
therapy does not address the ADHD symptoms or when the symptoms become severe, medication
becomes the only resort. But there exists no single fits-all medication for all
patients of ADHD. In fact, there are numerous medications available in the
market and many of these are targeted at children within a certain age range. A
particular medication may be effective on one child but will have no
significant positive effect on another. Thus, a psychiatrist, psychologist, or
pediatrician considers the child personal history before prescribing any
medication.
Most
medications used on children with ADHD are stimulants. The use of stimulants
may seem counterintuitive when physicians are attempting to address
hyperactivity and impulsivity but stimulants have been found considerably
effective in working on dopamine, a neurotransmitter that has been linked to
ADHD. Some of the generic names of stimulants used for children who are three
years old and older are amphetamines (such as Adderall) and dextroamphetamines
(such as Dexedrin and Dextrostat. For children who are six years old and up, the
generic names of stimulants include methylphenidate (such as Concerta, Ritalin
and Metadate), pemoline (such as Cylert), dexmethylphenidate (such as Focaline).
There is also a non-stimulant ADHD medication known as the atomoxetine (in
Strattera). The atomoxetine works on norepinephrine, another neurotransmitter
linked to ADHD.
Medications
do not necessarily cure ADHD. Some children may continue taking medications
until they reach their teenage years, while others still take medications even
when they are adults. The use of medications for ADHD, similar to the use of
medicines for other illnesses, must be approached in a careful and precise
manner to avoid abuse and to lessen side effects. Some of the common side
effects are headaches, stomach aches, insomnia, decreased appetite, and
increased anxiety. The medications called Cylert should be used with caution
because it has serious negative effects on the liver.
The MTA Cooperative Group. A 14-month
randomized clinical trial of treatment strategies for attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Archives of General Psychiatry,
1999;56:1073-1086.