Pharmacological Therapy of ADHD
Pharmacological therapy of ADHD is one of the most important treatment of ADHD.
Drugs that are used to treat ADHD are very efficient.
First line of therapy reduces symptoms in about 75% of cases, and with second line of therapy efficiency is about 85%.
First line of therapy are stimulants while antidepressants, which are second line treatments, might be considered if 2 or 3 stimulant medications are not effective.
Risk of Substance Use Disorder is reduced for patients that use medications.
Before any treatment your physician will assess a patients overall health condition.
The American Academy of Pediatrics believe that it is important to examine risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
There are several types of pharmacological therapy of ADHD.
Stimulant drugs are the most used type of therapy.
ADHD is also treated with non stimulant drugs such as anti epileptics and antidepressants.
There are several stimulant drugs such as Ritalin, Adderall, Focalin, Metadate, Daytrana.
They are based on the substance methylphenidate.
Among non stimulant drugs the most important is Strattera based on Atomoxentine.
Other non stimulant drugs are antidepressant such as Wellbutrin and Tofranil, anti epileptic drugs such as Dapacote and even medications used to treat hypertension or high blood pressure such as Clonidine and Tenex (guanfacine).
Side effects may vary depending on the type of medication.
Anorexia, nausea, weight loss, insomnia, nightmares, dizziness, irritability, growth problems are possible side effects for stimulants.
For atomoxentine possible side effects are reduced appetite, dyspepsia and dizziness.
Antidepressants may cause dry mouth, blurred vision, orthostasis, constipation and heart problems.
Alpha-adrenergic agonists such as Clonidine dry mouth, dizziness, constipation and hypo tension are reported.
Possible side effects for anti epileptic drugs such as carbamazepine are drowsiness, headaches, motor coordination impairment and upset stomach.
It is important to notice that only some of the patients suffer from mentioned side effects.
In that case a patient's physician will modify dosage or change the medication.
Drugs that are used to treat ADHD are very efficient.
First line of therapy reduces symptoms in about 75% of cases, and with second line of therapy efficiency is about 85%.
First line of therapy are stimulants while antidepressants, which are second line treatments, might be considered if 2 or 3 stimulant medications are not effective.
Risk of Substance Use Disorder is reduced for patients that use medications.
Before any treatment your physician will assess a patients overall health condition.
The American Academy of Pediatrics believe that it is important to examine risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
There are several types of pharmacological therapy of ADHD.
Stimulant drugs are the most used type of therapy.
ADHD is also treated with non stimulant drugs such as anti epileptics and antidepressants.
There are several stimulant drugs such as Ritalin, Adderall, Focalin, Metadate, Daytrana.
They are based on the substance methylphenidate.
Among non stimulant drugs the most important is Strattera based on Atomoxentine.
Other non stimulant drugs are antidepressant such as Wellbutrin and Tofranil, anti epileptic drugs such as Dapacote and even medications used to treat hypertension or high blood pressure such as Clonidine and Tenex (guanfacine).
Side effects may vary depending on the type of medication.
Anorexia, nausea, weight loss, insomnia, nightmares, dizziness, irritability, growth problems are possible side effects for stimulants.
For atomoxentine possible side effects are reduced appetite, dyspepsia and dizziness.
Antidepressants may cause dry mouth, blurred vision, orthostasis, constipation and heart problems.
Alpha-adrenergic agonists such as Clonidine dry mouth, dizziness, constipation and hypo tension are reported.
Possible side effects for anti epileptic drugs such as carbamazepine are drowsiness, headaches, motor coordination impairment and upset stomach.
It is important to notice that only some of the patients suffer from mentioned side effects.
In that case a patient's physician will modify dosage or change the medication.
