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Treatments
and Medications
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| CATEGORY | MEDICATIONS | THERAPEUTIC (+)
EFFECTS AND SIDE (-) EFFECTS |
| Psychostimulants | Ritalin® Dexedrine® Desoxyn® Adderall® Cylert® |
(+) May reduce impulsivity, increase
attentional strength, diminish motor activity, enhance certain memory
functions
(-) May cause tics, loss of appetite, growth delays, sleep problems, personality change; Cylert® may disrupt liver function |
| Tricyclic Antidepressants |
Desipramine Anafranil® Elavil® Tofranil® |
(+) May reduce
anxiety, depressive symptoms, aggression, overactivity,
obsessive-compulsive signs
(-) May cause sedation, changes in heart rhythm, gastrointestinal disturbance |
| Aminoketones | Wellbutrin® | (+) May reduce
hyperactivity, anxiety and aggressive tendencies
(-) May cause insomnia, headaches, gastrointestinal distress, seizures |
| Lithium Preparations |
Lithium Eskalith® |
(+) May be
effective in bipolar illness (Manic-depression); may also help in
depression when other drugs fail
(-) May cause gastrointestinal upset, tremor, weight gain, urinary symptoms, poor motor coordination |
| Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors |
Prozac® Zoloft® Paxil® |
(+) May reduce
anxiety, impulsivity, overactivity, obsessive-compulsive tendencies
(-) May worsen attention deficits, cause nervousness, result in oversedation |
| Anti-psychotic Agents |
Haldol® Mellaril® |
(+) May help
attention in low doses, reduce tics in Tourette Syndrome, lessen
aggressive symptoms
(-) May be overly sedative, interfere with cognition and learning, cause movement disorder (tardive dyskinesia) |
| Alpha-Adrenergic |
Clonidine
(Catapres®) Guanfacine (Tenex®) |
(+) May increase
frustration tolerance, reduce impulsivity, improve task oriented behaviors
in children with motoric overactivity, lessen tics in Tourette Syndrome,
improve sleep
(-) May overly sedate, cause fall in blood pressure, induce depression or other mood disorder |
*All of these medications have some possible additional effects, both detrimental and beneficial. Different children are apt to respond or react differently to the same drug. There are some differences in effects, side effects, and duration's of action between the drugs within a single category. Some of these medications have not been fully tested in children. (Click on any of the drug names in the above table for MORE information on that specific medication.)
Although much excellent research on the use of these medications continues, surprisingly little is actually known about them. Their precise dosages, their long-range side effects, and use in various combinations require further investigation. For this reason we suggest a conservative approach to their use.
References
Levine, Melvin D Developmental Variation and Learning Disorders, Educator Publishing Services Inc., Cambridge and Toronto, 1993
Physicians’ Desk Reference. 52nd ed. Montavle (NJ): Medical Economics Data Production Company, 1998
Practice Parameters for the Assessment and Treatment of Children, Adolescents and Adults With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 36:10 Supplement, October 1997
Taylor, M Evaluation and Management of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. American Family Physician 1997: 55 (3); 887-894
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