Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can be helped with medication in some instances. ADD/ADHD drugs can help improve behavior and help a child learn to control impulses, complete tasks and concentrate better.
It is important for parents to understand that most doctors take many factors into consideration before prescribing a medication for ADD or ADHD. It is also important to recognize that there are limits to all the medications and be ready to approach treatment and support from different ways.
Medications that are prescribed for ADD are usually classified as Stimulant or Non-stimulant and each type acts differently on the brain.
Stimulant Medication for ADD and ADHD
The most frequently prescribed type of treatment for ADD and ADHD are stimulant drugs. Long studied for their effectiveness, this class of medication is thought to increase dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that has many functions in the brain, including acting upon behavior, mood, motivation, pleasure, sleep, learning, and attention.
Stimulant medications for ADD and ADHD include Adderall, Ritalin, and Dexedrine. Although it seems counterintuitive to prescribe a stimulating drug for a hyper disorder, the stimulant medications help increase focus and concentration and reduce hyperactive behavior.
Non-Stimulant Medication for ADD and ADHD
Non-stimulants work by affecting a different brain chemical, called norepinephrine. The FDA has currently only approved one non-stimulant drug, Strattera, to treat ADD and ADHD. There are also newer drugs currently in development.
Strattera, also called atomoxetine, is usually considered for treatment when stimulant medications do not work or have caused unwanted side effects. Strattera also has antidepressant properties and can be prescribed when a child has both ADD and depression. However, the medication should not be used with antidepressant medicines that are monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI).
According to Lilly, the manufacturer of Stattera, there are potential side effects for children and teens, including an increase in suicidal thoughts, when taking the medication, approximately a .4% chance, or 4 out of 1000. While a low incident, still something to take into consideration.
Other Types of Medication for ADD and ADHD
Sometimes a doctor will prescribe a drug that is called "off label" for Attention Deficit Disorders. This means that the medication they are prescribing is designed to treat something else, but the drug has a side effect that may help a symptom of ADD or ADHD.
It's important to note that if an off label medicine is used for ADD or ADHD, this means it is not approved by the FDA for ADD or ADHD treatment. This may affect insurance coverage of the drug. Individual insurance plans vary.
Blood pressure medications like Tenex that are sometimes prescribed for ADHD may help with the "H," the Hyperactivity, but the do not often help with concentration and focus.
If a child has both ADD and depression, and other medications have not worked, a doctor will sometimes try an antidepressant medication like Wellbutrin.
Deciding Whether or Not to Take ADD Medication
Giving children strong medications that can have potential side effects is not an easy decision. There are a lot of factors a parent must take into consideration and weigh the best options for the child and the family. Many children take ADD medicines successfully and improve the quality of home and school life. However, no parent should ever feel pressured into giving their child medicine. It is worth taking time to research all options and even get a second or third opinion before making a final decision.
Elizabeth Richards - Elizabeth Richards has published almost 200 articles for Suite101 since 2007 as a Contributing and Feature Writer.
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