Will my child always have to take medication for their ADHD? Because stimulants are habit-forming, it’s also important to tell your doctor about any substance use problems with your child or teen.Ĭhildren with ADHD are also at higher risk for developing depression, so it’s important to talk to your child about their mood and mental health.¹³ Developing healthy coping habits at school and home can help reduce the risk now and in the future for additional mental health challenges. Children with Tourette’s syndrome may benefit from non-stimulant medication.¹² Because stimulants can sometimes increase anxiety or agitation, it’s important to talk to your doctor about whether stimulants are the right starting point or not for a child with preexisting anxiety problems. It’s imperative that you talk to your child’s doctor about coexisting conditions and other medications they take. Height is not typically affected by stimulants, but the medication can slow or delay growth for the first two years of treatment.¹¹ If your child is taking an antidepressant to treat symptoms, it’s important to monitor your child or teen for suicidal thoughts, a potential side effect of the medication.Ĭan a child still take ADHD medication if they have another medical or mental health issues? There are several common side effects of stimulant medications, which can include decreased appetite, weight loss, headaches, trouble sleeping, and stomachache. What are common side effects of ADHD medications? To avoid these risks, keep the medication in a safe place, monitor the administration of the medication, and advise school personnel do the same. Though stimulants are classified as habit-forming drugs, some research suggests that taking a stimulant to treat ADHD can actually reduce the risk of substance abuse in adolescence rather than increase it.⁹ However, children and teens are still at risk for abusing or selling their medication.¹⁰ Children and teens who do abuse the drug typically take it in higher doses or snort or inject the drug to achieve a quick and powerful high. Young children may not notice anything different in their behavior, but teens may comment that people view them as less energetic or animated.⁸Ĭan my child become addicted to a stimulant? When prescribed and administered properly, ADHD medication should help your child concentrate and be less hyperactive, but it will not change their personality. If you notice a shift in your child’s personality, then it’s possible that they are on too high of a dose. Will taking medication alter my child’s personality? It’s important to talk to your child’s doctor before you discontinue use, as your child can experience withdrawal symptoms. Non-stimulants, however, can take several weeks before the drug will reach its full effect. The Daytrana patch needs to be applied two hours before the medication needs to take effect, but then the effect is long-lasting. Stimulants are designed to begin working immediately, often within half an hour depending on the form. How long does it take for ADHD medication to start working? Most medications have only been FDA-approved from children ages 6 and older, but sometimes physicians will prescribe a very low dose of a methylphenidate medication for children younger than 6.⁷ The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends trying behavior treatment for preschool and kindergarten-aged children first and then medication only as needed. How old does my child have to be to receive ADHD medications? However, the effectiveness of these medications in treating the disorder among children or adults has not yet been established, and children and teens are at increased risk for suicidal thoughts when taking antidepressants.⁶ ![]() Though they have not been approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, sometimes antidepressants are prescribed “off-label” by doctors to treat ADHD symptoms. Strattera (atomoxetine), Intuniv (guanfacine), and Kapvay (clonidine) are the three non-stimulant medications approved to treat children with ADHD.⁵ These medications are typically prescribed after stimulant medications fail to effectively treat symptoms, and sometimes they are prescribed conjointly with stimulants to treat symptoms. ![]() ![]() Which non-stimulant medications have been approved to treat ADHD in children? They may also recommend behavior therapy in conjunction with medication or taking a non-stimulant medication. There’s an 80% chance that your child will respond to medication.⁴ If a medication doesn’t prove effective, talk to your doctor about adjusting the dosage or trying a different class of stimulant. How likely is it that my child will respond to stimulant medication?
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