Medications known as stimulants have long been employed in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. These medications improve a chemical imbalance in the brain which is causing the symptoms. A number of neuro-imaging studies have shown that the brain functioning of ADHD patients does improve and appears to be more like the normal group after they have taken their prescribed medication.  The Drug Digest provides an excellent synopsis on the use of stimulants with children and adults.  For updates on new medications and warning about medications the FDA website is your best source of information.

Medications usually used to treat ADHD improve the availability in the synapse of two neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine. Specific neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) are necessary to carry a nerve impulse (message) along a neuropathway (circuit). When a neurotransmitter is not fully available, a message may be stopped short of its intended destination. When this happens, the function regulated by that circuit may not work as well as it should.

There has been concern about the over prescribing of stimulant medications to children.  Recent research shows that the number of prescriptions rose by 30% from 1991 to 1995 with 0.3% and 0.9% of the child population receiving prescriptions in the respective years.  However, with the prevalence of the disorder estimated to be at 5.0%, one could make a case for under prescribing.  Most authorities believe that stimulants are both over and under prescribed based diagnostic and patient compliance issues so that some children are receiving medication they do not need while others are not receiving this necessary treatment for their condition.

Medications that treat ADHD are not tranquilizers or sedatives. They do not slow down the nervous system. They actually improve functioning in various areas of the brain involved with attention, concentration and self-control.  Over 200 well controlled studies have shown that these medications are the safest and most effective psychiatric medications.  Failure to treat ADHD with medications may result in increased risk of substance abuse and decreased white matter volumes in the brain as well as poor academic achievement, low self-esteem, difficulty in a wide range of social situations, over reaction to change and frustrating circumstances and less likelihood of success as adults.  [See AAP Treatment Guidelines for further discussion of effectiveness].

Common ADHD Medications