| For people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | | | | For children taking ADHD medicine, they will often |
| (ADHD), life can be in a constant tailspin. To bring | | | | experience weight loss, and sometimes, have trouble |
| control and order back in line, medication is typically | | | | sleeping. The specific side effects that the child and |
| used and very effective. Keep in mind that ADHD | | | | parent would want to pay attention to most includes |
| medicine is usually not the only treatment but it is | | | | rapid heartbeat, chest pain, or vomiting. The key with |
| widely used and it works. The type of ADHD medicine | | | | ADHD medicine is to have the child take the lowest |
| prescribed depends on a number of factors such as | | | | possible dose while still bringing the level of |
| the age of the person with the disorder, the level of | | | | hyperactivity under control. |
| severity, and the doctor prescribing it. However, | | | | Additionally, ADHD medicine should not be prescribed |
| common types of ADHD medicine include: | | | | until the doctor has reviewed any other medication |
| · Methylphenidate (branded as Concerta and | | | | being taken. Many times, doctors and parents will |
| Ritalin) | | | | agree that the child gets drug-free weekends |
| · Dextroamphetamine (branded as Dexedrine and | | | | whereby nothing is taking on Saturday or Sunday. This |
| Dextrostat) | | | | usually does not lessen the effect of the drug but it |
| · D and 1-Amphetamin Racemic Mixture (branded | | | | gives the child a break. In addition to giving the body a |
| as Adderall) | | | | break, it helps the child have an emotional break, feeling |
| · Pemoline (branded as Cylert) | | | | like a normal kid. Just be sure this is in agreement with |
| · Atomoxetine (branded as Stratera) | | | | the doctor and not just something, you do on your |
| · Clonidine (branded as Catapres) | | | | own. |
| · Desipramine (branded as Norpramin) | | | | For the child taking ADHD medicine, it is important that |
| · Imipramine (branded as Tofranil) | | | | they take the drug exactly as directed by the doctor. If |
| · Buproprion (branded as Wellbutrin) | | | | your child begins to have side effects or if you feel the |
| The interesting thing about ADHD medicine is that while | | | | drug is not working, rather than stop treatment, talk to |
| it can produce a stimulating effect in the majority of | | | | your doctor first. Remember, it is common for the |
| people without ADHD, it has the complete opposite | | | | person with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to |
| effect, a calming sensation for both adults and children | | | | go through more than one type of medication before |
| with ADHD. One of the main considerations a doctor | | | | finding "the one" that works best. During the initial |
| will look at prior to prescribing any type of ADHD | | | | treatment phase, you and your child will need to be |
| medicine is the potential side effects. Typically, this | | | | patient and realize that changes are possible. Even |
| type of medication will cause a decrease in appetite, | | | | when the correct medication is found, it takes time to |
| along with headache or stomach. | | | | build up in the body before becoming effective. |