Learn about ADHD medication treatment including Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, and Strattera as well as other treatments for ADHD.

• What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
• What are the risk factors and causes of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
• What are the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
• How is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) treated?
• ADHD in Children
  
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ADHD and childhood behavioral disorders are usually better treated in specialized education settings with behavioral management of the disruptive behavior.

Whether the patient is an ADHD adult patient or an ADHD child patient, the treatment for ADHD has many facets. ADHD medication can be used in conjunction with behavioral and psychological therapies. No single ADHD medicine or treatment for ADHD is the answer for any particular patient.

ADHD drug therapy includes:

• Stimulants. Stimulants are the mainstay of ADHD treatment. These medicines include methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and pemoline (Cylert -- may cause rare, severe hepatotoxicity)
• Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine combination. Adderall is also useful in children and adults with ADHD. Once-daily Adderall is as effective as twice-daily methylphenidate and both are superior to once-daily methylphenidate. (Vyvanse is a followup to Adderall XR)
• Atomoxetine (Strattera). Strattera is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and one of the only non-stimulant ADHD medications.
• Adjuncts. Adjuncts are given with other medications or treatments. Adjunct drug therapies include tricyclic antidepressants (rare cardiac deaths in children and adolescents warrant caution); serotonin reuptake-inhibiting antidepressants (new warnings have been added for use of these medications in children), bupropion (safer but efficacy not as well documented), clonidine, and neuroleptics.

Sources:

• American Academy of Pediatrics. (2001). Clinical practice guideline: Treatment of the school-aged child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics, 108, 1033-1044.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, publication of NIMH, 2006.

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