Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD find their symptoms improve with medication. However, each person reacts differently to different drugs and side effects can be troublesome.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a chemical in the brain that assists in controlling the attention span and behavior.

Stimulant drugs

Stimulants improve attention and concentration in 70% to the 80% of children and adults who take them. They affect neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They usually cause an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. A lot of experts recommend that you start low and gradually increase your dose over the course of several weeks.

Stimant medication is taken by mouth, usually once or twice a day. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions for most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak within a couple of hours and should be taken 3 times per day. Long-acting stimulants last for 8-12 hours and are taken twice a day.

These drugs can cause undesirable adverse side effects like nausea, insomnia and nausea. They may also make people moody or angry however, these effects usually fade with time and are usually controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some instances, stimulants can cause changes in personality, such as becoming more withdrawn, irritable or more rigid and obsessive. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, like mania and depression.


Most stimulants are controlled substances and require a prescription to be obtained. They are frequently misused by adults and teens to achieve performance enhancement, and can result in addiction if used improperly or not as prescribed. Because of these risks doctors must carefully assess the need for stimulant medications and keep track of the dosage and adverse effects.

Non-stimulant medications

There are many non-stimulant ADHD medication options, and which one is most appropriate for you is based on your individual requirements. These prescription drugs don't affect the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. adhd medication uk buy online -stimulants are less likely to have negative side effects but they can take longer to effect and last only for 24 hours. Most of these medications work by increasing norepinephrine levels in the brain. This includes antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), nortriptyline, and Pamelor.

Psychotherapy

Therapy can help a person learn how to cope with symptoms and develop new coping skills like managing stress and impulsivity. BetterHelp, a service that offers online therapy connects clients with licensed therapists who specialize in treating ADHD and other mental disorders. You can find a therapist within 48 hours after completing a free online assessment. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help people suffering from ADHD improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, but they don't address some of the root causes of the disorder. In adhd medication uk buy online to talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach a person techniques to control an impulsive personality and improve their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach, or practiced with a trained therapist. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents to assist the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In certain instances the combination of medication and talk therapy is the best approach.