context: Medication is an important part of your ADHD treatment. Doctors can choose from many types of drugs to control symptoms of the disorder. You and your doctor will work together to figure out which medication is right for you, along with the ideal dose (amount) and schedule (how often or when you need to take it). It may take some time to find the best combination. The ones most widely used to treat ADHD include: Stimulants. This group of drugs has treated ADHD for several decades. These medicines might help you focus your thoughts and ignore distractions. Stimulant meds work for 70% to 80% of people. They're used to treat moderate and severe ADHD. They may be helpful for children, teens, and adults who have a hard time at school, work, or home. Some stimulants are approved for use in children over age 3. Others are approved for children over age 6. Non-stimulants. In cases where stimulants don't work or cause unpleasant side effects, non-stimulants might help. These medications can improve symptoms like concentration and impulse control. Antidepressants. People with ADHD often have depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder too. They may take an antidepressant to control mental health issues or other conditions along with a stimulant for ADHD. Side effects of short-acting stimulants include loss of appetite, weight loss, sleep problems, crankiness, and tics. You have to take them often. The FDA has issued a warning about the risk of drug abuse with amphetamine stimulants. FDA safety advisers are also concerned that all amphetamine and methylphenidate stimulants used for ADHD may make heart and psychiatric problems more likely. Drug Name Brand Name Duration Dextroamphetamine Dexedrine 4-6 hours Dextroamphetamine Zenzedi 3-4 hours Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine Adderall 4-6 hours Dexmethylphenidate Focalin 4-6 hours Methylphenidate Methylin, Ritalin 3-4 hours Side effects of these medications include loss of appetite, weight loss, sleep problems, crankiness, and tics. Long-acting medicines may have greater effects on appetite and sleep. The FDA warns about the risk of drug abuse with amphetamine stimulants. FDA safety advisers are also concerned that all amphetamine and methylphenidate stimulants used for ADHD may make heart and psychiatric problems more likely. Drug Name Brand Name Duration Notes Amphetamine sulfate Dyanavel 8-12 hours Oral solution/liquid Amphetamine sulfate Evekeo 6 hours Dextroamphetamine Dexedrine Spansule 6-8 hours Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine Adderall XR 8-12 hours Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine Mydayis 12 hours Dexmethylphenidate Focalin XR 6-10 hours Lisdexamfetamine Vyvanse 10-12 hours Lisdexamfetamine Vyvanse chewable 10-12 hours Chewable tablet Methylphenidate Aptensio XR 10-12 hours Methylphenidate Concerta 8-12 hours Methylphenidate Cotempla XR ODT 8-12 hours Oral disintegrating tablet/dissolvable Methylphenidate Daytrana transdermal patch Up to 10 hours May cause skin irritation or discoloration Methylphenidate Metadate CD, Ritalin LA 8-10 hours Methylphenidate Metadate ER, Methylin ER 6-8 hours Methylphenidate Ritalin SR 4-8 hours Methylphenidate Quillichew ER 12 hours Chewable tablet Methylphenidate Quillivant XR 10-12 hours Oral solution/liquid Non-stimulant medications usually take a while to start working. It could be several weeks before you feel the full effects. Also, they may not work as well as stimulants. Some non-stimulant medications may raise the risk of suicidal thoughts and death by suicide in teens. The FDA warns that anyone taking atomoxetine ( Strattera) should be monitored for suicidal thoughts, especially during the first few weeks. Common side effects of these drugs include fatigue, upset stomach, dry mouth, and nausea. Your blood pressure often rises when you stop taking them. Drug Name Brand Name Duration Notes Atomoxetine Strattera 24 hours Sleep problems, anxiety, fatigue, upset stomach, dizziness, dry mouth. Although rare, can cause liver damage. Higher risk of suicide in adults ages 18-24. Clonidine Catapres 4-6 hours Fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, crankiness, behavior problems, low blood pressure. Stopping this medicine suddenly can result in high blood pressure. Clonidine Catapres- TTS patch Up to 7 days Fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, crankiness, behavior problems, low blood pressure. Stopping this medicine suddenly can result in high blood pressure. Clonidine Kapvay 12 hours Fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, crankiness, behavior problems, low blood pressure. Stopping this medicine suddenly can result in high blood pressure. Guanfacine Intuniv 24 hours Fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, crankiness, behavior problems, low blood pressure. Stopping this medicine suddenly can result in high blood pressure. Guanfacine Tenex 6-8 hours Fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, crankiness, behavior problems, low blood pressure. Stopping this medicine suddenly can result in high blood pressure. These medications can be used off-label to treat ADHD symptoms. That means doctors can prescribe them even though they haven't been approved by the FDA for use with ADHD, Side effects often include trouble sleeping, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, sweating, and changes in sex drive. The FDA has also warned about a connection between antidepressants and a higher risk of suicide in adults ages 18-24, especially in the first 1 or 2 months. Drug Name Brand Name Duration Notes Bupropion Wellbutrin 4-5 hours Headaches. Although rare, may make you more likely to have seizures. Bupropion Wellbutrin SR 12 hours Headaches. Although rare, may make you more likely to have seizures. Bupropion Wellbutrin XL 24 hours Headaches. Although rare, may make you more likely to have seizures. Desipramine Norpramin 8-24 hours Not recommended for children. Associated with rare cases of fatal heart problems. Imipramine Tofranil 8-24 hours Anxiety, fatigue, upset stomach, dizziness, dry mouth, higher heart rate, risk of heart arrhythmias. Nortriptyline Aventyl, Pamelor 8-24 hours Anxiety, fatigue, upset stomach, dizziness, dry mouth, higher heart rate, risk of heart arrhythmias. Experts generally consider these medicines safe when they are monitored properly by a professional. Serious problems are rare. Discuss the risks and benefits of these drugs with your doctor.