Reference Guide to ADHD Medications

Highlights 

• ADHD affects around 10% of school-age children and adolescents.

• ADHD medications treat the symptoms of the condition.

• Doctors prescribe ADHD medications to improve focus and attention.

• Find the best prices for your ADHD medications at BidRx. 

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a childhood neurodevelopmental disorder that affects around 10% of children and adolescents. Most often diagnosed in childhood, ADHD can last into adulthood, making life difficult for sufferers.

About ADHD Medications

Science doesn’t understand the causes of this condition yet. For now, managing its symptoms is the best approach to treatment. 

ADHD symptoms vary from one person to another. There are three subclasses of the condition, defined by the predominant symptom.

• Inattentive ADHD. Sufferers find it difficult to focus and may daydream often.
• Impulsive ADHD. Those suffering from this condition act without considering the consequences and find it difficult to sit still.
• Combined ADHD. Some children exhibit inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behaviors at the same time.

Doctors suspect that low birth weight, lead exposure after birth, fetal exposure to smoking and alcohol, and brain trauma may be among the causes of ADHD. Our best option is to treat its symptoms until we learn more about its causes.

Children with mild symptoms may respond well to behavioral training and do not need ADHD medication. For others, doctors may recommend antidepressants, central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, antiadrenergic agents, or other medications.

CNS Stimulants

Central nervous system stimulants increase the levels of some neurotransmitters in the brain. They can increase alertness, boost the ability to concentrate, improve energy levels and attention span, alleviate sleepiness, reduce appetite, etc.

CNS stimulants speed up physical and biochemical processes in the brain. They may also elevate blood pressure and increase heart rate, depending on the drug. Experts do not yet understand the fine details of how CNS stimulants work.

The CNS stimulants doctors may prescribe for ADHD are available by prescription only. Some are used off-label for ADHD.

• Methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Ritalin, and others )
• Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Mydayis)
• Dextroamphetamine (ProCentra, Zenzedi, Dexedrine)
• Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
• Amphetamine (Adzenys ER, Evekeo, Dyanavel XR, and others)
• Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin)
• Methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
• Modafinil
• Armodafinil
• Dexmethylphenidate/serdexmethylphenidate (Aztarys)

Warnings and Contraindications — CNS Stimulants

CNS stimulants are unsuitable for patients with heart problems or high blood pressure. They can cause a series of severe side effects, including sudden death.

Many of these drugs are habit-inducing. Users can get hooked on them and develop an addiction. Addiction can lead to overdose and death, even in healthy users.

In patients who have a mental illness or depression, CNS stimulants may cause psychosis.

Tell your doctor if you have drug or alcohol problems. Also, mention all medications you take. CNS stimulants can interact dangerously with some medications. You shouldn’t take these drugs if you have:

• Circulation problems in your hands and feet
• Drug and alcohol addiction problems
• Epilepsy
• Abnormal EEG test results
• Depression
• Aspirin allergy

Children younger than six can’t take CNS stimulants. 

Side Effects — CNS Stimulants

The side effects of these potent drugs can be severe. Some of the severe side effects are:

• Signs of psychosis
• Numbness, cold feelings
• Long and painful erections
• Trouble breathing
• Chest pain

More-common side effects include but are not limited to:

• High blood pressure
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Dizziness and loss of appetite, complete with resulting weight loss
• Anxiety
• Stomach pain
• Pounding heartbeats 

Drug Interactions — CNS Stimulants

CNS stimulants can interact with blood thinners, antidepressants, seizure medications, and even cold medications that contain decongestants.

Centrally Acting Antiadrenergic Agents

These drugs relieve high blood pressure by relaxing and dilating the blood vessels and slowing heartbeats.

For ADHD, doctors recommend extended-release tablets. These medications act on a region of the brain that controls attention and impulsive behaviors. Doctors may prescribe the Kapvay brand for ADHD.

Centrally acting antiadrenergic agents, like clonidine, may help control blood pressure and ADHD symptoms, but they can’t cure the conditions.

Like other drugs doctors may use to treat ADHD, centrally acting antiadrenergic agents are strictly prescription-based. Abusing these medications can result in severe consequences.

• Clonidine (Kapvay)
• Guanfacine (Intuniv)

Warnings and Contraindications — Centrally Acting Antiadrenergic Agents

Centrally acting antiadrenergic agents, like clonidine, lower your blood pressure and regulate heart rate. If you have heart problems or coronary artery disease, you should not take these drugs.

Always talk to your doctor about your existing conditions and all the medications and supplements you take. You should also avoid these drugs if you have:

• High or low blood pressure
• Kidney problems
• Adrenal gland disease
• A heart condition involving slow heartbeats

Children under six must not take Kapvay.

Side Effects — Centrally Acting Antiadrenergic Agents

Like all blood pressure-regulating medications, clonidine and other centrally acting antiadrenergic agents can cause some severe side effects. Seek medical attention immediately if you have any of these side effects:

• Irregular heartbeats
• Shortness of breath
• Slow pulse
• Chest pain
• Lightheadedness

The more common and less-severe side effects of the drugs include:

• Insomnia
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Irritability
• Dizziness 

Drug Interactions — Centrally Acting Antiadrenergic Agents

Drugs like clonidine can interact dangerously with other drugs containing the same active compound. The result is overdosing on something that slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure. Other medications that affect centrally acting antiadrenergic agents are:

• Antidepressants
• Other blood pressure medications
• Heart medications

Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors

The adrenergic uptake inhibitors doctors may prescribe for ADHD limit the reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. They improve focus and attention by increasing the amount and availability of the neurotransmitter.

Doctors may recommend these drugs for anxiety, Tourette’s syndrome, and bipolar disorder. Adrenergic uptake inhibitors are prescription-only drugs.

• Atomoxetine (Strattera)
• Viloxazine (Quelbree)

Warnings and Contraindications — Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors

Drugs like atomoxetine can interact with other drugs and may even cause sudden death in people with heart conditions. They can also cause heart attacks and strokes in people with high blood pressure.

Adrenergic uptake inhibitors can also cause suicidal thoughts in some patients. People with bipolar disorder, depression, or mental illnesses should not take these drugs.

Tell your doctor about all the medications and supplements you take. You shouldn’t take adrenergic uptake inhibitors if you have taken an MAO inhibitor over the last two weeks.

Also, avoid these drugs if you have:

• A tumor of your adrenal gland
• Circulatory and heart problems
• Narrow-angle glaucoma
• High blood pressure
• Low blood pressure
• Liver disease

Doctors do not prescribe these medications to children under 6.

Side Effects — Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors

Any medication may trigger an allergic reaction. Seek medical attention immediately if you have difficulties breathing; hives; or swelling of the face, tongue, or lips.

Other severe side effects of these drugs include:

• Chest pain and the sensation of passing out
• Paranoia, aggression, and hallucinations
• Jaundice, dark urine, and other symptoms indicative of liver damage
• Long-lasting and painful erections
• Difficult urination 

Less severe and more common side effects are:

• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Upset stomach
• Exhaustion
• Mood swings 

Drug Interactions — Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors

Adrenergic uptake inhibitors can interact with drugs from the following classes:

• Asthma drugs
• Decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine
• Antidepressants
• Blood pressure drugs

The list is incomplete. Adrenergic uptake inhibitors can also interact with herbal supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter drugs.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Doctors have noticed that some tricyclic antidepressants, like desipramine, produce better results than a placebo in the short-term treatment of ADHD. Evidence in this sense is currently scant, however. Tricyclic antidepressants are potential short-term solutions only, working from two to six weeks. They may also cause severe side effects.

Doctors may resort to these medications as the second line of treatment for ADHD. All tricyclic antidepressants used for off-label ADHD treatment are prescription-based.

• Desipramine (Norpramin)
• Imipramine (Tofranil)

Warnings and Contraindications — Tricyclic Antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants are strong medications normally used to treat depression. Patients who have recently had a heart attack should not take these drugs; they can affect the heart and blood vessels.

Always tell your doctor about the medications you take. You cannot take tricyclic antidepressants if you have taken SSRI antidepressants like Zoloft or Prozac over the last five weeks.

Your doctor should also know about your health conditions. You are a poor candidate for ADHD treatment with tricyclic antidepressants if you have:

• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder
• Heart rhythm issues or a family history of sudden death resulting from such issues
• Mental illness
• Glaucoma
• Seizures
• Thyroid problems

People under 18 should not use these medications; they are unsuitable for the treatment of ADHD in children.

Side Effects — Tricyclic Antidepressants

In addition to the possibility of causing an allergic reaction, tricyclic antidepressants can cause the following severe side effects:

• Vision problems and eye pain
• Unusual bleeding
• Hallucinations and unusual behavior
• Lightheadedness
• Jaundice and upper stomach pain
• Seizures
• Stiff muscles
• Slurred speech and balance problems
• Numbness

The drugs may cause serotonin syndrome. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience these side effects.

The more common side effects of tricyclic antidepressants include:

• Lack of coordination
• High blood pressure
• Swollen breasts in both sexes
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss or weight gain

Drug Interactions —Tricyclic Antidepressants

Patients should not combine these antidepressants with other sleep medications. Medications for seizures and muscle relaxants may also interact with these drugs. Tell your doctor about the vitamins and herbal supplements you take as well.

Dopaminergic Antiparkinsonism Agents

In addition to Parkinson’s disease, doctors use drugs that stimulate dopaminergic pathways to treat depression and ADHD. The use of dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents in ADHD is an off-label approach. The drugs are available by prescription only and carry risks. Only doctors can evaluate risk against potential benefits.

Dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents can contribute to the development of impulse control disorders as a side effect.

Some dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents like amantadine are antiviral medications. Doctors may use them to prevent some forms of influenza. They are available as tablets, oral solutions, and capsules.

• Amantadine (Gocovri, Symmetrel, others)
• Selegiline (Zelapar, Eldepryl)

Warnings and Contraindications — Dopaminergic Antiparkinsonism Agents

Adults and children who have recently received a nasal flu vaccine should not use these drugs.

Dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents may reduce alertness and affect eyesight. Do not drive or operate machinery before you learn how these drugs affect you. Kidney problems represent a significant hazard for patients who receive dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents.

Tell your doctor if you have had kidney problems. Dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents may cause heat stroke in hot weather. You should not take these drugs if you have:

• Liver problems
• Drug addiction
• Seizures
• Alcoholism
• Eczema
• Mental illness
• Suicidal thoughts
• Congestive heart failure
• Daytime sleepiness

Some dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents are not approved for anyone younger than 18.

Side Effects — Dopaminergic Antiparkinsonism Agents

Dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents have been known to cause death in patients with kidney problems.

Other severe side effects dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents may cause are:

• Allergic reactions
• Swelling of the extremities
• Shortness of breath
• Depression
• Difficult urination
• Confusion
• Stiff muscles
• Tremors
• Uneven heartbeats

Less severe and more common possible side effects are:

• Dizziness
• Balance problems
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Insomnia 

Drug Interactions — Dopaminergic Antiparkinsonism Agents

Dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents can interact with sleep medications, anxiety drugs, and muscle relaxants.

They may also interfere with medications that contain sodium bicarbonate and glaucoma drugs.

Dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents may also interact with certain vitamins, herbal supplements, and other drugs.

Nutraceuticals

In some patients, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may alleviate ADHD symptoms. Supplements that contain this essential nutrient have been known to improve brain function, and they may help with ADHD.

Doctors can prescribe omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements to ADHD patients. Often called fish oil, you can also buy this supplement over the counter under the brand names Megakrill, Lovaza, and others.

Warnings and Contraindications — Nutraceuticals

Do not take these supplements if you are allergic to fish, including shellfish.

The body tolerates omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids relatively well, but you should still exercise caution. Ask for your doctor’s advice if you suffer from any of the following conditions:

• Pancreas problems
• A “slow” thyroid
• Diabetes
• Liver disease
• Heart rhythm irregularities
• Various allergies

Pregnant women should exercise extra caution. Doctors do not recommend omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to people under 18.

Your doctor may recommend a special diet or frequent blood tests if you take nutraceuticals.

Side Effects – Nutraceuticals

If you have an allergic reaction to omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, with symptoms like hives; difficulty breathing; or swelling of your tongue, throat, or mouth, seek medical help immediately. Allergic reactions can be life threatening.

Also, call your doctor if you experience severe side effects like:

• Heart rhythm disturbances
• Chest pain

The less severe and more common side effects of these nutraceuticals include:

• Bloating and an upset stomach
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Back pain
• Changes to the sense of taste

Side effects lists are never complete, so if you’re taking omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and notice any new or unusual symptoms, talk with your doctor.

Drug Interactions — Nutraceuticals

We don’t know much about how omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids interact with vitamins, herbal products, and dietary supplements. There is always a possibility of unpleasant interactions when you take any of these products.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may also interact with blood thinners like warfarin.

Adamantane Antivirals

Adamantane antivirals are drugs that prevent virus-borne diseases like the flu. Medical studies have found that they also impact the neurotransmitter system, reducing the toxic effects of some neurotransmitters. Thus, adamantane antivirals exert positive effects on a range of psychiatric disorders. They also alleviate ADHD symptoms.

Doctors may prescribe amantadine off-label to treat ADHD. Amantadine is a prescription-only drug. We have discussed its contraindications, side effects, and drug interactions in the dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents section.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are drugs that can produce severe side effects and drug interactions. Researchers have found that they may help with ADHD symptoms. Not many doctors recommend them for off-label ADHD treatment, however, as their risks may outweigh their potential benefits.

We have discussed selegiline, the prescription-based monoamine oxidase inhibitor that works for ADHD, in the dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents section.

Serotonin-norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors

Doctors prescribe various stimulant drugs as the first line of treatment against ADHD in children. These treatment options don’t always work, and some parents are concerned about their side effects.

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are non-stimulant alternatives with fewer side effects and a better safety profile.

SNRIs act on serotonin and norepinephrine receptors, preventing the reuptake of these neurotransmitters. As a result, the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine spike. Doctors believe dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin may be linked to ADHD. Increased levels of these chemicals may improve communication among nerve cells, reducing the symptoms of ADHD.

The FDA has not approved serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors for ADHD treatment. Doctors prescribe them off-label for the condition.

All SNRIs are prescription-only medications.

• Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq, Khedezla )
• Venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR)
• Duloxetine (Cymbalta, Irenka, Drizalma Sprinkle)

Warnings and Contraindications — Serotonin-norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors

These drugs can cause shifts in mood. An increased frequency of suicidal thoughts is among their side effects. Therefore, people suffering from mental illness and depression should avoid SNRIs.

Those who already take an SNRI should not stop without their doctor’s permission.

Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions before starting treatment with SNRIs.

• Glaucoma
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Heart disease
• Bipolar disorder
• Epilepsy
• Lung problems
• Blood clotting irregularities
• Low blood sodium levels

Drugs like desvenlafaxine are not approved for people younger than 18. Doctors may prescribe venlafaxine and duloxetine to kids older than 13.

Side Effects – Serotonin-norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors

SNRIs can cause a variety of severe and less-serious side effects. Call your doctor or seek medical help immediately if you experience:

• Worsening depression
• Panic attacks
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Aggressiveness
• Suicidal thoughts

Other severe side effects may be:

• Seizures
• Trouble breathing
• Nosebleeds
• Bloody stools
• Eye pain
• Headache
• Confusion

SNRIs can cause potentially deadly serotonin syndrome. Be on the lookout for symptoms like a racing heart, muscle stiffness, hallucinations, agitation, lack of coordination, and diarrhea.

The common side effects of SNRIs include:

• Sleepiness
• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite
• Impotence
• Low sex drive
• Dizziness

Drug Interactions — Serotonin-norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors

You should avoid taking SNRIs with sleeping pills, blood thinners, and muscle relaxants. SNRIs may also interact with vitamins, supplements, and herbal products.

Smoking Cessation Agents

Researchers have discovered that people with ADHD are more likely to smoke and may find it more difficult to quit smoking. It makes sense from a medical point of view to treat nicotine dependence and ADHD together.

Drugs that help patients quit smoking may help with ADHD as well. Doctors may prescribe the smoking cessation agent bupropion (Aplenzin, Wellbutrin SR, Zyban, and others) for the off-label treatment of ADHD.

Warnings and Contraindications – Smoking Cessation Agents

Those who take MAO inhibitors and drugs for depression and seizures should not take bupropion. Talk to your doctor if you have:

• Bulimia or anorexia
• Seizures
• Alcohol problems
• Depression
• Glaucoma
• Liver disease
• Bipolar disorder
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Head injuries

Pregnant women should avoid bupropion. The drug may not be safe to use while breastfeeding.

Side Effects — Smoking Cessation Agents

Seek medical help immediately if you notice signs of an allergic reaction or one of the following symptoms while taking bupropion:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Seizures
• Tunnel vision
• Eye pain
• Manic episodes
• Irregular heartbeats

Common side effects include:

• Weight loss
• Muscle pain
• Rash
• Insomnia
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Vomiting
• Frequent urination
• Sweating
• Tremors

The list is not complete.

Drug Interactions — Smoking Cessation Agents

Talk to your doctor about the medications you take. Bupropion can interact with several other drugs, as well as vitamins, herbal products, and dietary supplements.

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