ADD Medication for Adults
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Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (previously known as ADD) is a neurological condition that begins in childhood. About 60% of early ADHD cases progress into adulthood. But while children display serious signs of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity—adults have less intense symptoms of the condition. In particular, behaviors like hyperactivity tend to decrease over time in older people with ADHD.
Despite having decreased and less intense symptoms, adults with this disorder still require treatment to manage the disruptions they live with on a daily basis. Depression, anxiety, daytime sleepiness, poor academic performance, and social functioningare just some of the negative ways this condition affects well-being.
To improve symptoms, drugs are first-line treatments prescribed by healthcare providers to care for this disorder. Read on to learn about different ADHD medications for adults, and how they improve symptoms.
Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
Experiencing trouble with attention, getting easily distracted, and showing impulsive traits are the broad symptom categories of ADHD.
This condition may be suspected when a person routinely displays the following behaviors:
Challenges with getting started on duties
Poor attention to detail
Noticeable difficulties with organization and prioritizing tasks
Difficulty sustaining focus on tasks that require extended concentration
Prone to impulsive behavior
Other psychiatric disorders in some patients
Substance abuse in patients
People with ADHD may also speak excessively, forget routine obligations, and often interrupt others during conversations. More symptoms include fidgeting, being prone to losing things, or even struggling to engage quietly in leisurely activities. This condition can affect personal and professional affairs. It may also create a wedge in relationships.
Medications for ADHD
When managing ADHD in adults, drugs are prescribed to enhance attention, boost academic achievements, and improve memory. Medication may also improve mental activity, decrease attention, and limit aggressive behavior.
Two forms of medication are used to manage ADHD: stimulants and non-stimulants.
Stimulant Medication
Stimulant medications have been used for decades to manage ADHD. They include:
Approximately two percent of Americans between the ages of 20 and 44 used stimulants for ADHD in 2010. These drugs work by increasing neurotransmitter levels in the brain—particularly dopamine. Dopamine is associated with motivation, pleasure, attention, and movement. Around 70% of adults with this condition report symptom improvement after starting these drugs.
These stimulants improve focus in people with ADHD. They are also beneficial for impulsive and hyperactive behaviors.
Stimulants are broadly classified into short and long-lasting medications:
Short-lasting stimulants: These medications are usually taken two to three times a day. Short-acting stimulants have immediate-release formulations—they require around 30-45 minutes after use to impact behavior. These drugs usually peak within one to two hours and are largely eliminated from the body after five hours. For a full day’s management of ADHD, two to three short-acting stimulants may be required.
Long-lasting stimulants: These drugs are developed to go into effect gradually and to wear off over time following use. Around 5.9% of adults have prescriptions for long-acting stimulants. These medications are ideal for people who have difficulty remembering to use short-acting drugs at different points of the day. There is also a reduced potential for abuse.
Intermediate treatments also exist. They include medications like Metadate CD and Metadate ER.
Related: Over-the-Counter (OTC) ADHD Medication
Non-Stimulant Medication
Non-stimulant medication is suitable for the 30% of patients that do not respond properly to stimulant medication. Non-stimulants are considered less effective than stimulating counterparts so they are usually a second or third-line treatment for managing ADHD symptoms.
Non-stimulant treatments include tricyclic antidepressants, non-tricyclic antidepressants, specific norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors, alpha-2 noradrenergic agonists, non-schedule stimulants, and others.
Strattera (atomoxetine) is a non-stimulant medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This drug influences norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter important for energy and attentiveness. By acting as a norepinephrine inhibitor, atomoxetine helps to increase the levels of this chemical messenger in the body.
Qelbree (viloxazine) was also recently approved to treat ADHD in adults. It is also a non-stimulant selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI).
Side Effects of ADD Medication
Like other drug treatments, ADHD medication may produce side effects when administered. Specific side effects can vary depending on the type of medication used and the individual characteristics. They may also vary in intensity and diminish as your body becomes accustomed to the drug.
Side Effects of Stimulants
Some of the most common side effects of stimulants in adults with ADHD include:
Reduced appetite
Nausea
Stomach cramps
Weight loss
Sleep difficulty
Increased blood pressure
Tic development
Irritability
Stimulants such as Adderall XR are categorized as Schedule II drugs, which means they may have a high potential for abuse. It is possible to develop a dependence on these medications. However, this risk is lower when medications are taken as prescribed.
Research suggests that appropriate ADHD treatment, including the use of stimulant medications, actually reduces the risk of substance dependence by helping people better manage impulsive behaviors and reducing the likelihood of self-medication.
In addition to side effects, special care is required to begin stimulant medication. In particular, people with the following conditions should steer clear of this treatment:
Patients with stimulant medication sensitivity
People living with glaucoma to avoid increased blood pressure in the eyes
People that experience severe anxiety
Anyone who is currently on monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Patients with family members that live with Tourette’s syndrome
People with high blood pressure
Patients who have an alcohol or drug dependency
Side Effects of Non-Stimulants
When using non-stimulants like atomoxetine, caution is required to manage possible side effects. These adverse reactions include:
Headaches
Abdominal pain
Poor appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Drowsiness
Side effects associated with these drugs are typically mild or moderate.
