Following an ADHD diagnosis, physicians may recommend medication to treat symptoms in children. ADHD cannot be cured by medicine. However, it does improve a child’s capacity for focus, slowness, and self-control.
Why Do Kids Need ADHD Medicine?
Not all children with ADHD require medication. However, medication can help most ADHD children focus for longer periods of time, listen more clearly, and fidget less.
Behavioural therapy helps kids learn and practise skills like waiting their turn without interrupting or organising themselves. Medical school isn’t a quick fix; children still need to practise these abilities. One advantage of medication is that it keeps children engaged as they learn.
One aspect of ADHD treatment is medication. Therapy, parent education, and school assistance are further components of treatment. When parents, educators, and therapists assist children in acquiring any social, emotional, or behavioural skills that are behind due to ADHD, medicine is most effective. Most children benefit from receiving both medication and treatment.
How Do ADHD Medicines Work?
ADHD medications enhance attention by promoting the proper function of regular brain chemicals.
The drugs specifically target norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. These substances have an impact on focus and attentiveness.
How Do People Take ADHD Medicine?
Adolescents and children with ADHD may take distinct medications. Depending on the medication, they typically take them once or twice day. All medications for ADHD require a prescription. The majority are consumed orally. They can be purchased as a tablet to be chewed, eaten, or dissolved, or as capsules to be opened, swallowed, or sprinkled over meals. Some are applied topically as a patch or as a liquid.
Stimulants
Methylphenidate (marketed under the names Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin, and Daytrana) and amphetamines (such as Adderall, Dexedrine, and Vyvanse) are among these medications.
As soon as someone consumes a stimulant, it starts to work. Depending on the medication, they may last for:
Formulas that are short-acting have a 3–6 hour shelf life.
The body retains long-acting formulations for approximately 10–12 hours. For older children and teenagers who have a demanding school day and require medication to keep focused for homework or extracurricular activities, long-acting stimulants may be beneficial.
Non-stimulants
These medications include viloxazine (Quelbree), guanfacine (Intuniv), atomoxetine (Strattera), and clonidine (Kapvay). It may take a few weeks for non-stimulants to take effect. They work for a full day after that.
The medical staff will inquire as to whether your child is on any other medications before writing a prescription. This covers over-the-counter medications as well as supplements (such as herbal or vitamin-based remedies). Your family’s medical history will be of interest to the care team as well, particularly if any family members currently have or have previously had heart disease.
Initially, doctors typically recommend a low dosage of a stimulant medication. The doctor will want you to keep an eye on your child and see if the medication is helping if they are taking a new ADHD medication or dosage. Depending on how much the medication helps and whether your kid experiences any adverse effects, the doctor will adjust the dosage and frequency of administration.
Children react to medications in different ways. A doctor may try a different medication if the previous one doesn’t seem to work, even at the highest dosage. For optimal results, some children may require the use of multiple ADHD medications.
How Can Parents Help?
Ensure that your youngster consumes a healthy food and has a regular sleep schedule. They can better control their ADHD with this.
Create a medication schedule that works best for your family by working with the care team. They will inquire about your child’s progress both at home and in school. To find out how things are doing, keep in contact with your child’s teachers.
Inform the physician treating your kid if you observe any adverse drug reactions.
Bring your kid along to all of the check-ups. It’s critical that the medical staff measure your child’s height, weight, pulse rate, and blood pressure. The medical staff will also search for adverse reactions. The medication dosage may be changed, particularly as your child gets older. Finding the proper medication and dosage for your child may take weeks or months, so you may need to make multiple trips to the doctor. The care team will then want to see your child every three to six months after that.
To assist your youngster and avoid issues:
Administer the prescribed dosage.
Administer each medication on schedule.
Consult a physician prior to discontinuing or adjusting the medication.
All medications should be kept out of the reach of others in a secure location.
Are There Any Risks?
Medicines for ADHD may have adverse effects, just like any other. However, not everyone has side effects.
The most frequent adverse effects include difficulty sleeping and appetite loss. Jitteriness, irritability, moodiness, headaches, stomachaches, rapid heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, and motor tics are some additional adverse effects of ADHD medications.
When taking a larger dosage or starting a new medication, side effects typically appear in the first few days. After a few days or weeks, when the body gets used to the medication, they frequently go away on their own.
A doctor may choose to change the medication or reduce the dosage if an adverse effect persists instead of treating it. The adverse effects of ADHD medications subside as soon as the medication exits the body because they only last in the body for a few hours.
More details regarding potential side effects for the particular medication your kid is prescribed by their medical team will be provided to you. See your child’s physician as soon as possible if you discover anything that concerns you.
The thought of medicating their child for ADHD bothers some parents. However, most children can benefit greatly from the appropriate medication. Discuss your worries with your child’s physician. Make inquiries. Your kid’s medical team can assist you in determining if your child should try a medication.
