If your child is diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), your doctor will recommend a handful of medications. Naturally, not all parents are keen on medication, particularly due to their negative side effects. Therefore, some question, “What is the medication for ADHD in children and how will it affect them?”

Stimulants: The Most Common ADHD Medication

In 80% of children with ADHD, stimulants prove to be one of the most effective forms of medication. ¹ For this reason, a doctor will likely recommend such upon diagnosis.

There are two types of stimulant medication commonly used for ADHD: ²

• Immediate-Release – Taken every four hours, will have an instant and short-lasting effect on the child.

• Extended-Release – Taken once in the morning, will act intermittently throughout the day.

Between these two types of medication, your doctor will also discuss the type of stimulant that’s best suited for your child. These come in two classes: ³

• Amphetamines
• Methylphenidates

The key difference between these two classifications is amphetamines are stronger than methylphenidates. Therefore, methylphenidate will be recommended if a child experiences mild symptoms. Whereas if a child experiences severe symptoms, amphetamines are the go-to.

To further clarify the differences between these medications:

Type of Medication	Brands	Duration
Short-acting amphetamines	Adderall, Dexedrine, Dextrostat	4 to 6 hours
Short-acting methylphenidate	Focalin, Methylin, Ritalin	3 to 5 hours
Intermediate-acting methylphenidate	Metadate CD, Ritalin LA	6 to 8 hours
Long-acting amphetamines	Adderall-XR, Dexedrine Spansule, Vyanuse	10 to 12 hours
Long-acting methylphenidate	Concerta, Daytrana, Focalin XR, Quillivant XR	8 to 12 hours

Best ADHD Medication for Children

To find the best medication for ADHD in children, you must consider your child and their needs. Admittedly, this process is usually determined by a medical professional. However, the more insight you have into your child’s mental health, the more you can do to find the best treatment path for them.

When initially given medication, your child will likely need to undergo a few rounds of different types. This is for medical professionals to get an idea of your child’s situation and determine the best medication for their needs.

While you go about these rounds, it’s important to keep the following in mind:

• Dosage – How much medication does your child receive? Is this amount based on weight or symptom severity? Would the medication be more effective in larger or smaller doses?

• Schedule – When does your child receive medication? Would they perform better if they received it earlier or later?

• Effectiveness – Is the medication effective in diminishing symptoms? Have you seen improvement since your child began taking medication?

It’s much easier to determine whether or not one type of medication works for your child by answering these questions.

Stimulant Side Effects

Naturally, one of the biggest concerns for parents with children on ADHD medication is the side effects. Luckily, if side effects are apparent in a child, you’ll be able to tell early on. Furthermore, the risks of side effects are fairly minimal.

While varying in how common they are, stimulant side effects include: ⁴

• Delayed growth
• Sleep problems
• Social withdrawal
• Transient muscle movements (i.e. tics)
• Weight loss (decreased appetite)
• Withdrawal from medication (bad mood)

Medical professionals may adjust the dosage or schedule of medication to relieve side effects. Furthermore, if side effects are severe, another medication will be recommended.

While your child undergoes ADHD medication, it’s key to keep close contact with your pediatrician. This will ensure that the medication works properly and your child does not experience any negative outcomes.

Do Children Get “High” Off ADHD Medication?

Currently, there’s no evidence to suggest children get “high” off stimulant medication.

This concept has been perpetuated by others taking ADHD medication as a means of receiving a “high.” However, since those individuals don’t struggle with ADHD, the effects they receive are greatly different compared to someone with ADHD. ⁵

Can a Child Become Addicted to ADHD Medication?

When taken at a therapeutic dose, the risk of becoming addicted to stimulants is minimal. However, when taken at a larger dose, the risk of addiction increases. ⁶

Natural Treatments for ADHD Children

Some parents may prefer to offer their children over-the-counter medication or herbal remedies, such as Pine Bark or Lion’s Mane. In mild cases of ADHD, this may be helpful. However, in more severe cases, pharmaceuticals are the best option.

Still, no matter what type of medication you offer your child, it’s always important to make sure your child’s doctor knows exactly what they’re taking. In many cases, herbal remedies for ADHD can have identical negative side effects that can result in a worsening of your child’s condition.

For more natural solutions, here are your options:

• Diet – When a child receives a balanced diet, they’re more likely to improve their mental health without medication. ⁷ Since different diets will have different effects on people, you can check out our Diet Plans for People with ADHD guide for more information.

• Exercise – Research reveals that exercise helps to improve mood and attention, potentially helping children with ADHD. ⁸

• Sleep – If your child has poor-quality sleep, they’re hurting their condition. Studies show that the right sleep habits can improve ADHD symptoms. ⁹

• Essential Fatty Acids – Some children may improve ADHD symptoms when given essential fatty acids, such as omega-3. ¹⁰

Final Word

While giving your child ADHD medication isn’t ideal, it’s something that may help to drastically improve their quality of life. For this reason, it’s important to discuss the treatment options with your doctor along with what’s the best ADHD medication for your child’s circumstances.

If you plan to offer natural remedies to your child, it’s just as important to discuss these with a doctor. In many cases, herbal remedies simply can’t compete with the therapeutic benefits of pharmaceuticals.

References

¹ Nazarova VA, Sokolov AV, Chubarev VN, Tarasov VV, Schiöth HB. Treatment of ADHD: Drugs, psychological therapies, devices, complementary and alternative methods as well as the trends in clinical trials. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Nov 17;13:1066988. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1066988. PMID: 36467081; PMCID: PMC9713849.

² Cascade E, Kalali AH, Weisler RH. Short-acting versus Long-acting Medications for the Treatment of ADHD. Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2008 Aug;5(8):24-7. PMID: 19727272; PMCID: PMC2695738.

³ Faraone SV. The pharmacology of amphetamine and methylphenidate: Relevance to the neurobiology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other psychiatric comorbidities. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018 Apr;87:255-270. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.02.001. Epub 2018 Feb 8. PMID: 29428394; PMCID: PMC8063758.

⁴ Cascade E, Kalali AH, Wigal SB. Real-World Data on: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Medication Side Effects. Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2010 Apr;7(4):13-5. PMID: 20508803; PMCID: PMC2877616.

⁵ Clemow DB, Walker DJ. The potential for misuse and abuse of medications in ADHD: a review. Postgrad Med. 2014 Sep;126(5):64-81. doi: 10.3810/pgm.2014.09.2801. PMID: 25295651.

⁶ Zulauf CA, Sprich SE, Safren SA, Wilens TE. The complicated relationship between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2014 Mar;16(3):436. doi: 10.1007/s11920-013-0436-6. PMID: 24526271; PMCID: PMC4414493.

⁷ Pelsser LM, Frankena K, Toorman J, Rodrigues Pereira R. Diet and ADHD, Reviewing the Evidence: A Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses of Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trials Evaluating the Efficacy of Diet Interventions on the Behavior of Children with ADHD. PLoS One. 2017 Jan 25;12(1):e0169277. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169277. PMID: 28121994; PMCID: PMC5266211.

⁸ Basso JC, Suzuki WA. The Effects of Acute Exercise on Mood, Cognition, Neurophysiology, and Neurochemical Pathways: A Review. Brain Plast. 2017 Mar 28;2(2):127-152. doi: 10.3233/BPL-160040. PMID: 29765853; PMCID: PMC5928534.

⁹ Owens JA. A clinical overview of sleep and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009 May;18(2):92-102. PMID: 19495429; PMCID: PMC2687494.

¹⁰ Derbyshire E. Do Omega-3/6 Fatty Acids Have a Therapeutic Role in Children and Young People with ADHD? J Lipids. 2017;2017:6285218. doi: 10.1155/2017/6285218. Epub 2017 Aug 30. PMID: 28951787; PMCID: PMC5603098.