Side effects associated with ADHD medications are primarily related to the group of medications to which the medication is related. However, like any other psychiatric medication, they may uncommonly cause negative changes in mood or behavior, including suicidal thoughts or actions.
What are the long-term effects of ADHD medication?
Other Side Effects of Stimulant Medications for ADHD Besides suppressing a person’s growth, ADD medications can also cause an individual to experience all sorts of other unwanted side effects, including: Drug overdoses Nervousness Change in personality Loss of appetite Weight loss Headaches Upset stomach Increase in blood pressure and heart rate
What medications are used to treat ADHD?
ADHD medicines are more likely to cause unpleasant side effects when they’re used for a long time or abused in high doses. Anxiety Irritability Insomnia Sleep disturbances Increased heart rate Increased blood pressure Headaches Appetite suppression Dizziness Mood swings Withdrawal symptoms
Can ADHD medication cause depression?
Apr 13, 2021 · Being aware of the increased risk of depression among people with ADHD can help you address any mood changes that may not be caused by medications. Nausea and headaches Any headaches or nausea that...
Are stimulants effective in treating ADD and ADHD?
Since medications are given mostly with kids making it difficult for them to withstand any side effects such as dizziness, sleepiness and more, parents are worried about further side effects that people can get from the continued use of the medication. Continued intake may result to psychological dependency.
What are some negatives of the drugs available for the treatment of ADHD?
The key problems to be on the lookout for:Sleep problems.Decreased appetite.Delayed growth.Headaches and stomachaches.Rebound (irritability when the medication wears off)Tics.Moodiness and irritability.
Are there long-term effects of ADHD medication?
Long-term effects. Some children continue taking ADHD drugs as adults. Decades of research has found no major negative health effects from taking them for a long time. Some studies have suggested that children who keep taking stimulants into adulthood may grow up slightly shorter.Mar 5, 2021
Is it better to not take medication for ADHD?
It may make your child's ADHD symptoms reappear or get worse. Hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention may become problems again within a day or 2 of stopping medication. You'll need to be extra attentive.Sep 12, 2020
What are the negative effects of ADHD?
Adults with ADHD who are employed experience workplace impairment and reduced productivity, as well as behavioural issues such as irritability and low frustration tolerance. Adults with ADHD are also at increased risk of accidents, trauma and workplace injuries, particularly traffic accidents.
Do ADHD meds cause brain damage?
A.D.H.D. drugs may cause long-term brain damage, reducing motivation.Jun 9, 2012
Are ADHD medications safe?
Keep in mind, ADHD drugs are generally safe. The chance of serious problems is low. For lots of people, the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks.Mar 8, 2021
Does ADHD medication flatten your personality?
As long as the dosage is correct, the medication should not affect your personality or sense of humor. What it will do is curb your hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. An excessively high dose could temporarily “flatten” your personality, causing you to seem unusually quiet or withdrawn.Mar 22, 2021
What are the benefits of ADHD medication?
The medications used to treat ADHD have many advantages. By reducing symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention, they help patients with ADHD to do better at school and work. They also improve interactions with family members and friends.Oct 5, 2020
Can ADHD meds make ADHD worse?
The right ADHD medication can make life much easier for children and adults who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD). But ADHD medications can also make things worse and cause severe side effects, including headaches, sleep problems, and a blunted appetite.
What are the side effects of ADHD medication in adults?
Side effects of ADHD stimulant medicationSleep problems.Decreased appetite.Weight loss.Increased blood pressure.Dizziness.Headaches and stomachaches.Rebound (irritability when the medication wears off)Moodiness and irritability.More items...
How does ADHD medication make you feel?
With optimized ADHD medication, people typically report an improved overall mood. They're less stressed, with less anxiety — usually resulting from higher productivity and fewer social challenges.
Can ADHD medication cause side effects?
ADHD medications are usually well-tolerated, which means patients that take them only encounter mild side effects or none at all. However, when you’re taking any psychoactive substance, you may run into some adverse effects. It’s essential to monitor your condition and any new or changing symptoms when you are taking medication. If something is bothering you, let your doctor know. ADHD medicines are more likely to cause unpleasant side effects when they’re used for a long time or abused in high doses.
Can stimulants cause anxiety?
Like insomnia, stimulants are often associated with anxiety and panic disorders. In some cases, stimulant drugs may trigger dormant or pre-existing anxiety disorders. Anxiety is a common symptom of psychoactive drugs, but it can be debilitating in severe cases. Anxiety is often rooted in an overactive nervous system, which can be triggered by stimulants. If you start to feel irritable, restless, or anxious after taking an ADHD drug, speak to your doctor. They may be able to ease the side effect by adjusting your dose or switching medications.
Can you become dependent on stimulants?
In some cases, your brain can adapt to a stimulant medication and come to rely on it. This is especially common if you take it for too long or abuse it without a prescription. If you become dependent on the drug, cutting back or stopping could cause uncomfortable symptoms like fatigue, depression, and mental fog. In some cases, depression can be severe. If you feel like you’ve become dependent on the medication, your doctor may be able to limit withdrawal symptoms by helping you taper off the drug.
What are the effects of stimulants on the brain?
Stimulants increase the norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, increasing your focus. These drugs include: 1 amphetamine/dextroamphetamine ( Adderall) 2 dextroamphetamine ( Dexedrine) 3 lisdexamfetamine ( Vyvanse)
What is ADHD medication?
Takeaway. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurological disorder. It’s often diagnosed in childhood. Common ADHD symptoms can include trouble focusing or concentrating, being easily distracted, and trouble sitting still. Medication is used to help manage these symptoms effectively, but they can come with side effects.
Can ADHD be treated with non stimulants?
Nonstimulants aren’t prescribed as often for ADHD, but may be used if stimulants cause adverse side effects or aren’t effective. Certain nonstimulant drugs increase norepinephrine and other chemicals in the brain, helping with focus and attention.
Do ADHD medications go away?
ADHD medication side effects. Medications always have the potential for side effects. Not everyone will experience the same side effects — or any at all. Some side effects go away, while others may not. Talk with your doctor about the specific side effects of the medication you’re prescribed, and let them know if you experience any side effects.
Can you take stimulants without a prescription?
Only take these medications if they’re prescribed to you. Taking these drugs without a prescription if you don’t have ADHD can have serious and potentially harmful side effects. Stimulant medications have the potential to be misused, especially by those without ADHD.
Can ADHD medication cause side effects?
As with any kind of medication, ADHD medication has the potential for adverse side effects. These can vary, depending on the medication you’re on and your individual reaction to the drug.
What happens if you take too much stimulant?
If a stimulant dose is too high, it can cause sedation, irritability, or tearfulness. This can be taken care of by changing the dosage of the drug. Some people experience changes in mood with stimulants at any dosage. This goes away when they stop the stimulant.
Cons of ADHD Medication
As positive side of the medication are given, it is time that people should also know the negative side of the medications that people with the condition are going through and some of these are as follows:
What You Should Think about ADHD Medication
With these pros and cons of the medication in mind, you can easily decide whether these will help a parent like you to handle your kids with ADHD or any of your love with the condition. You can now understand whether such medications are made to give a person with ADHD the opportunity to control his or her abilities or not.
How to help a child with ADHD?
Let the doctor know about any new side effects your child has, even mild ones. The doctor may be able to adjust the dose or switch your child to a different medication to prevent these effects. ...
What are some examples of tics?
Tics are quick, sudden, and uncontrollable movements, often in one part of the body. A repeated eyelid blink or head twitch are examples of tics. Some stimulant medications cause tics as a side effect. In kids who already have tics, these drugs, especially dextroamphetamine, can make tics worse.
Can stimulants change your personality?
Personality Changes. Stimulants shouldn't change your child's personality. But they can have a flattening or zombie-like effect on some children. Other kids may become moody or irritable while on their meds. These mood-related side effects usually appear soon after a child starts taking a new drug.
Can stimulants increase blood pressure?
Stimulants can slightly increase heart rate and blood pressure. But the risk of serious heart problems is low. In one study, stimulants raised the odds of heart trouble in children and teens. Heart problems were still rare overall in that study.
Can ADHD cause psychosis?
Psychosis. Kids who take stimulant drugs to treat their ADHD have a slightly higher risk for psychotic episodes. Those are breaks from reality. In one study, 1 out of 660 teens and young adults had psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and hearing voices.
Can ADHD medication cause tics?
More common ADHD medication side effects such as appetite loss, headaches, sleep issues, and moodiness are usually mild and nothing to worry about. Rarely, children have more serious side effects like tics or hallucinations from these medicines. Often a medication change is enough to stop these side effects.
What are the side effects of ADHD medication?
Side effects and risks associated with the long-term use of ADHD medication include: Heart disease. High blood pressure. Seizure. Irregular heartbeat. Abuse and addiction. Skin discolorations.
What are the risks of ADHD drugs?
Other conditions might bump up your risks from ADHD drugs. Tell your doctor if you have one of these: Allergy or sensitivity to stimulants. Glaucoma.
What are the best medications for ADHD?
Most ADHD drugs are "stimulants." They can raise your blood pressure and speed up your heart rate. If you already have an issue with your heart, these medicines could be risky. Examples include: 1 Amphetamine ( Evekeo) 2 Dextroamphetamine ( Adderall, Adderall XR, Dexedrine, ProCentra, Zenzedi) 3 Dexmethylphenidate ( Focalin, Focalin XR) 4 Lisdexamfetamine ( Vyvanse) 5 Methylphenidate ( Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate, Methylin, Ritalin, Quillivant)
What is methylphenidate patch?
The methylphenidate transdermal system ( Daytrana) skin patch has been linked to a skin condition known as chemical leukoderma. This condition causes permanent loss of skin pigmentation at the place where the patch is applied. How to Weigh the Risks. Work with your doctor.
Can ADHD medications cause heart problems?
Most ADHD drugs are "stimulants." They can raise your blood pressure and speed up your heart rate. If you already have an issue with your heart, these medicines could be risky. Examples include:
Does strattera cause seizures?
Seizure or Irregular Heartbeat. Another ADHD medication, atomoxetine (Strattera), isn't a stimulant, but it has been linked to seizures and irregular heartbeats. The FDA suggests people with a history of those problems stay away from it. 2. Abuse or Addiction.
Can ADHD drugs cause bipolar disorder?
For instance, some people have reported behavior problems like aggression and hostility. Others say they developed symptoms of bipolar disorder.