Medications Commonly Prescribed To Improve
Behavior, Mood and Learning

Psychostimulants

(+)  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

(+)  May reduce anxiety, depressive symptoms, aggression, overactivity, obsessive-compulsive signs

(-)  May cause sedation, changes in heart rhythm, gastrointestinal disturbance

Aminoketones

(+)  May reduce hyperactivity, anxiety and aggressive tendencies

(-)  May cause insomnia, headaches, gastrointestinal distress, seizures

Lithium Preparations

(+)  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

(+)  May reduce anxiety, impulsivity, overactivity, obsessive-compulsive tendencies

(-)   May worsen attention deficits, cause nervousness, result in over sedation

Anti-psychotic Agents

(+)  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

(+)  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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