How Is ADHD Treated?

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Medication Options for ADHD

“Medications for ADHD work by boosting brain function in the prefrontal cortex, which is the most advanced part of the human brain,” says Dimitriu. “The prefrontal cortex allows for numerous essential functions, including, planning, impulse control, and perseverance.”

The types of medication that doctors prescribe depend on a person’s specific symptoms. The right medication — or medications — to reduce those symptoms can help people with this condition better succeed in school or at work and improve their quality of life.

Overall, studies show that medications reduce ADHD symptoms better than a placebo. But it’s important to note that research on the long-term effects of ADHD medications — particularly the long-term side effects — is still limited.

There’s also a lack of head-to-head trials comparing the safety and effectiveness of medication to nonmedication treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.

The most common types of prescription medications used to treat ADHD are stimulants, nonstimulants, and antidepressants.

Stimulant Drugs for ADHD

Stimulant medications are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD, says Dimitriu. “Stimulants work fast,” he says. They’re available in immediate-release and extended-release forms.

They come as a pill, capsule, liquid, or skin patch.

Stimulant medications used to treat ADHD include:

  • Amphetamine (Adzenys ER, Adzenys XR-ODT, Dyanavel XR)
  • Amphetamine sulfate (Evekeo, Evekeo ODT)
  • Dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride (Focalin, Focalin XR)
  • Dextroamphetamine sulfate (Dexedrine, ProCentra, Zenzedi)
  • Dextroamphetamine mixed salts and amphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR)
  • Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse, Vyvanse chewable)
  • Methamphetamine hydrochloride (Desoxyn)
  • Methylphenidate (Contempla XR ODT)
  • Methylphenidate hydrochloride (Adhansia XR, Aptensio XR, Concerta, Jornay PM, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Methylin Chewable, Methylin ER, Methylin Oral Solution, Quillichew ER, Quillivant XR, Ritalin, Ritalin-SR, Ritalin LA)
  • Methylphenidate patch (Daytrana)
  • Mixed salts of a single entity amphetamine (Mydayis)
  • Serdexmethylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate (Azstarys)
Stimulants can cause side effects, such as stomachache, weight loss, irritability, decreased appetite, and insomnia.

 “Sleep issues with stimulants are a problematic side effect because sleep is very helpful for managing ADHD,” says Dimitriu.

Some stimulants may increase the risk of developing heart problems or psychiatric problems like anxiety. And particularly in teens and adults, there is a risk of misuse of these medications, including taking too much, inappropriately using them, or sharing them with friends.

If you or your child is having bothersome side effects, talk to your doctor. They can help you find ways to manage them or find another medication that you or your child may tolerate better. Don’t make any changes to your treatment without talking to your doctor first.

Nonstimulant Drugs for ADHD

Nonstimulant drugs are sometimes used along with, or as an alternative to, stimulants.

The first nonstimulant for ADHD, atomoxetine (Strattera), was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002.

Strattera carries a black box warning because studies show that children and teens taking it are slightly more likely to develop suicidal thoughts, according to the FDA.

In general, however, nonstimulants don’t carry the same risk of misuse as stimulants, and their effects can last up to 24 hours, says Dimitriu. Other common nonstimulants include:

  • Guanfacine hydrochloride (Intuniv)
  • Clonidine hydrochloride (Kapvay)
  • Viloxazine (Qelbree)
Common side effects of nonstimulant medications include:

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Headaches or stomachaches
  • Reduced appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Rash

Centanafadine for ADHD

A norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin reuptake inhibitor and central nervous system stimulant, centanafadine works by increasing the availability of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin in the brain. These are neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) that are involved in attention and behavioral regulation.

Centanafadine will be scheduled by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) later in 2026.

That means the DEA will categorize it based on its acceptable medical use and potential for abuse or dependency.

The most common side effects of centanafadine in adults are:

  • Decreased appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
The most common side effects of centanafadine in children are:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Decreased appetite
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Rash
Centanafadine carries a black box warning about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among children ages 6 and older. This is because in clinical trials, children ages 6 to 12 who took centanafadine had a higher rate of suicidal thoughts and behaviors than those in the placebo group.

Antidepressants for ADHD

Although not approved by the FDA specifically to treat ADHD, doctors sometimes prescribe antidepressant drugs alone or in combination with a stimulant for some people. Certain antidepressants can be helpful if you have a mental health condition like depression or anxiety in addition to ADHD.

Antidepressants sometimes prescribed for ADHD include:

  • Nortriptyline hydrochloride (Pamelor)
  • Desipramine hydrochloride (Norpramin)
  • Imipramine hydrochloride (Tofranil)
  • Bupropion hydrochloride (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SL, Wellbutrin XL)
Although antidepressants are often safe and effective, the FDA issued a warning in 2004 stating that the use of antidepressants in children and teens may, rarely, lead to an increased risk of suicide.

 “In some cases, antidepressants may actually worsen ADHD symptoms,” says Dimitriu. “For others, antidepressants may have some benefit to ADHD. It just depends on the individual reaction to a specific medication.”