Parents Have Options for ADHD Medication
Most people familiar with ADHD have also heard of stimulant medications used in treatment plans. Parents sometimes hesitate to have a child evaluated for ADHD or to begin treatment after a diagnosis because they are concerned about stimulant medications.
Parents and caregivers may hesitate for many reasons, including concerns about how stimulant medications affect the body, possible side effects, the risk of abuse or misuse, family medical history, or a personal preference not to use them. Parents need to discuss their concerns with their child’s ADHD specialist and primary care provider to find a treatment option that is best for their child.
Families may hear less about nonstimulant medications used to treat ADHD. These medications, on average, have fewer side effects and health risks. Many families are more comfortable choosing them because they do not carry a risk of abuse or misuse and are not regulated at the same restrictions as stimulant medications.
Nonstimulant choices for families
“I think it’s very important to have another, nonstimulant option,” says Andrew Cutler, MD, a clinical professor of psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Dr. Cutler has been a clinical investigator for nonstimulant medications. “That’s really one of the biggest unmet needs in the treatment of ADHD.”
Nonstimulant medications can take up to eight weeks to be fully effective in controlling ADHD symptoms. Like stimulant medications, they work best when combined with a behavioral treatment approach. Parents also often participate in parent training for ADHD, especially when their children are in elementary school. Behavioral treatment plans often include academic accommodations to help children manage their symptoms at school and succeed at school.
This class includes several types of medication. Some of these were designed to address ADHD symptoms. Others were originally formulated to treat other health conditions and then found to help reduce ADHD symptoms.
Nonstimulant medications affect neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers in the brain. This can help the brain pay attention to and organize the information it receives, reducing ADHD symptoms.
Why pick a nonstimulant medication?
Parents have the final say in decisions about their child’s treatment plan. Prescribers will talk with parents about treatment options and answer their questions. Most prescribers will suggest starting with a stimulant medication but may recommend a nonstimulant if the child’s health needs call for it or if the parents prefer a different approach.
Often parents will choose a type of medication based on their own experiences, either with ADHD medications or from other experiences in their lives. The majority of families are seeking a multimodal approach to treatment, in which medication is one of several treatment interventions in a plan.
Medication choice also depends on family background, which can include more than medical history. Cultural perspectives, geographic location, and access to ADHD medical care strongly influence the choices families make.
Choosing the right medication for your child
“Stimulants are not the ‘end-all, be-all’ solution for ADHD,” says Samantha Roseberry, PharmD, BCPP, an inpatient clinical pharmacy practitioner. “Nonstimulant medications provide hope for those who are not interested in or unable to take a stimulant. It is essential to discuss all treatment options and risks and benefits with your healthcare provider, as with any condition.”
Work closely with your child’s medical providers to find the medication that works best for your child and meets the needs of your child and your family.
Learn more about medication options:
- Managing Medication for Children and Teens
- More Than Refills
- What ADHD Medication Can and Can’t Do
- Watch: The Choice is in the Details: Medication Options for ADHD
- Benefits and Risks of Medication Treatment