What to Know About ADHD Medication Side Effects

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a very common neurological disorder. It is often diagnosed during childhood.

The most common ADHD signs could include having trouble staying focused or concentrating, getting easily distracted, and being still. Medication can help deal with these symptoms successfully; however, they could have negative side effects.

ADHD medication is a popular method of helping people go through their daily lives. Let's look at the various kinds of ADHD medications, as well as how their adverse effects could affect your child or yourself.

Available ADHD medication

Medicine is frequently used with behavioural therapies to alleviate symptoms. The drugs affect brain chemicals to aid in controlling behaviour and impulses.

The medications for ADHD are classified into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulants.

Stimulants

Stimulants increase the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine levels in your brain, making it easier to concentrate. They include:

amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall)
dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)

Nonstimulants

Other stimulants aren't used as often for ADHD; however, they can be prescribed if stimulants trigger adverse reactions or aren't efficient. Certain non-stimulant medications boost norepinephrine and other chemicals in the brain, which aids in improving attention and focus.

Non-stimulant medications can be:

atomoxetine (Strattera)
antidepressants, such as nortriptyline ( Pamelor) or bupropion ( Wellbutrin)
guanfacine (Intuniv)
clonidine (Kapvay)

Everyone reacts to medication differently, and you may need to test different medicines until you find the most effective one.

ADHD medication side effects

Medicines are always associated with the possibility of causing negative side effects. Some people may not have the same effects, or none whatsoever. Certain side effects disappear, but others might not.

Please discuss with your physician the specific effects of your medication and inform them whether you have any adverse reactions.

Sleep issues

ADHD medications can affect sleep, particularly if the medication remains in effect at night. If you're on a short-acting medication for ADHD, the third or second dose could be taken too late during the day and may not have been absorbed.

If you're taking a lengthy-acting medication, looking into a shorter-acting medication might be beneficial.

Problems with eating

Sometimes, stimulant medication can result in problems eating. It could be a sign of an individual not eating because they're not hungry; however, the stimulant medication acts and reduces appetite.

Consult your physician about how to schedule your medication to prevent appetite suppression.

Tics

Some stimulant medicines can cause children to experience tics or repeated sounds or movements. If this occurs, it is possible that a different stimulant could be used to determine whether it eases the tic.

If the tics continue, then a medication that is not stimulant may be considered since they are more effective in affecting the brain as it is more likely not to trigger tics.

The mood changes

If a dose of stimulant is excessive, it could cause irritability, sedation or tears. It can be addressed by altering the dosage or dose of the drug. Some people feel mood swings when taking stimulants in any dose. It goes away once they stop taking stimulants.

Sometimes, a different stimulant medicine may help, but in other instances, it is recommended to use a non-stimulant medication to control mood fluctuations. Sometimes, combination therapy with an antidepressant can help mood swings.

Depression usually occurs at the same time as ADHD; however, both of them are treatable. Becoming aware of the increasing likelihood of depression among those who have ADHD can assist in addressing any mood swings that might not be caused by medication.

Headaches and nausea

Headaches and nausea caused by ADHD medication tend to disappear within two weeks. If headaches and nausea aren't going away, consult your doctor. They might ask you to take your medication in conjunction with food.

Rebound effects

"Rebound effect" is the "rebound effect" when ADHD medication wears off when the day is over, and people experience a recurrence of their symptoms, at times more intensely than before. This is because the drug has left the brain receptors too fast.

To prevent this from happening, a small amount of medication can be administered around a half-hour before a "rebound" usually occurs. A "rebound" effect sometimes means the dosage must be adjusted or a different drug is needed.

For some, it could be that there is a depression that is causing the problem or a different issue. Consult your physician about the current situation and other factors that could contribute to this.

The blood pressure rises, and the pulse.

If you're taking a stimulant drug, it is usually related to trusted Sources with a slight blood pressure or pulse increase. This is usually not clinically relevant, but the risk could be important in the case of heart disease or borderline hypertension.

ADHD drug risks and precautions

Before you start the medication you are taking for ADHD, consult your physician about any other medical conditions you might be suffering from. Avoid using stimulant medications or atomoxetine if you suffer from:

Heart problems with a structural cause
High blood pressure/hypertension
heart failure
heart rhythm issues

Speak to your doctor if you are or have ever been diagnosed with the following:

florid psychosis
bipolar I disorder
serious anorexia
Tourette syndrome
hypertension
Tachycardia
arrhythmias

Your information about your medical history will aid your doctor in choosing the best medication for you.

What happens if you don't have ADHD?

Take these medicines only if they're prescribed. If you take these medications without a prescription, even if you do not have ADHD, it could result in negative and serious side effects.

These medications are prone to misuse, particularly by people with no ADHD. This is because of the adverse effects of long-term attention and concentration, as well as the possibility of a decrease in appetite and weight loss.

When should you talk to your physician about ADHD medication's adverse negative effects?

Inform your doctor about any adverse reactions that you may experience from the ADHD medication. You may need to try various kinds of drugs until you discover the most effective one for you.

Suppose you experience side effects that persist after being supposed to, inform your doctor to be aware. If you observe any negative side effects after you've been on your medication for some time, contact your physician.

It's the bottom line.

Like all medicine, ADHD medication has the possibility of having negative reactions. They can differ based on the medication you're using and your individual reaction to it.

Discuss with your doctor If you are experiencing any adverse negative effects. Sometimes, you'll need to try a variety of medicines to find one that is most effective for you.