Side effects Using psychostimulants for ADHD is controversial in part because of their addictive potential and side effects. In children, psychostimulants are not generally addictive, but in teenagers and adults these medications can be. There is a significant black market for these drugs. Periodic monitoring by the prescribing physician is important to reduce the risk for dependency and abuse. Some kids with ADHD who take psychostimulants lose weight or their appetite and temporarily grow more slowly.
Trouble falling asleep is another side effect.
Often, side effects lessen when the dosage is reduced. One recent study found that boys with ADHD who are treated with psychostimulants, such as Ritalin, are significantly less likely to abuse other drugs and alcohol when they get older. There has been considerable debate regarding whether doctors overprescribe Ritalin, and there have been allegations that ADHD is being overdiagnosed in general. While there was dramatic rise in the number of ADHD diagnoses and psychostimulant prescriptions for ADHD between 1990 and 1995, a recent report in the Journal of the American Medical Association found little evidence of widespread overdiagnosis or misdiagnosis of ADHD or of widespread overprescription of Ritalin by physicians. The researchers drew their conclusions after reviewing scientific studies of ADHD published from 1975 through March 1997.