Their efficacy is well established, being supported by many controlled studies. ADHD usually manifests itself in the first 7 years of life and runs a chronic course. Stimulants suppress the symptoms of ADHD but do not cure the disorder. As a result, children with ADHD are often treated with stimulants for many years. There has been a major increase in the use of stimulants in the treatment of ADHD during the last decade.
Stimulants are usually well tolerated when used to treat ADHD and devoid of acute severe toxicity.
Decrease of appetite and sleep disturbance are among the most common side effects. A transient slowing of weight and height growth has been reported for prepubertal children who received continuous treatment with stimulants, but ultimate height does not seem to be affected However, controlled studies of the long-term safety of these drugs beyond 2 years are not available. Such data are especially important given the major developmental changes that children undergo while being treated with stimulants. One major concern is that long-term stimulant administration in children may alter the way the brain reacts to further exposure to stimulants or other drugs with potential for abuse. Stimulants are known to induce behavioral sensitization in animals, but this has been shown only at much higher doses than those used in clinical practice.