Facts About ADHD Medications - Stimulant Prescription Medications

When discussing facts about ADHD medications one must first examine stimulant medications. Stimulant prescription medications designed to treat ADHD generally impact either nerve cells in the brain or dopamine containing neurons in the brain. These medications focus on increasing the number of these neurotransmitters in the synapses. You may recall from high school that synapses are the areas in the brain that transmit and receive thought processes in the brain. These types of medications that stimulate brain activity are commonly known as short and long term stimulant medications. Stimulant medications for ADHD dominate the market, with millions of prescriptions written annually. While their popularity continues to grow, the list of side effects associated with them also continues to grow. For this reason you should thoroughly investigate the facts about these types of ADHD medications.

Facts about ADHD Medications - Stimulant Medications

Prescription stimulant medications are formulated to boost the amount of dopamine or norepinephrine (or both) being released into the synapses. Examples of stimulant medications are:

Ritalin: Last year an estimated 2,000,000 children were prescribed this medication. It is still the most widely used ADHD medication. Perhaps it has retained its popularity due to the release of a generic version.

Dexedrine: If may come as a surprise that Dexedrine is the oldest medication used for ADHD and is still one of the most popular. It is currently available in both short and long term (taken once a day) varieties.

Adderall: This medication has been compared to Dexedrine but contains both left and right handed forms of stimulant, so it is supposed to work a little more on norepinephrine containing neurons than Dexedrine. Both short and long term varieties are currently available.

Desoxyn: Amazingly this is the same as methamphetamine causing havoc in so many of our communities today. As a prescription medication it is reasonably inexpensive. Desoxyn works for some ADHD patients. It is only available in short term form.

Cylert: This medication is of the feel good variety, releasing only dopamine. If you are prescribed this drug you should be aware that it can cause damage to the liver

Provigil: This prescription med for ADHD is primarily used for sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. Provigil works differently than the other stimulant drugs listed above. Currently in research trials, Provigil seems to be showing positive results in expanding its accepted treatment status to include ADHD.

Facts about ADHD Medications - Alternative Treatments

Natural treatments for ADHD have recently started to gain popularity. This is probably due to the growing list of side effects associated with conventional ADHD treatment options; such as depression. Natural alternative treatment options can deliver equally suitable results that will last, without causing worrisome side effects. There are many natural supplements that have been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD, the most promising of which may be the homeopathic remedies.