- Stimulant medication has the effect of calming hyperactivity in children with ADHD. With stimulant medication, hyperactive children are able to sit still and exercise body control.
- Stimulant medication enables children with ADHD to focus, even when the task is not particularly interesting to the child. ADHD children on stimulant medication are not as easily distracted.
- One side effect of stimulant medication is loss of appetite. Children taking stimulant medication often lose weight because they have no desire to eat until after the medication wears off.
- Stimulant medication often makes sleep a challenge. Children with ADHD who are taking stimulant medication often need sleep aids to fall asleep at a reasonable hour.
- Parents of children with ADHD must decide whether the benefits of stimulant medication outweigh the negative effects. Talk with your child's doctor about how to minimize the negative effects.
- Stimulant medication can be dangerous (and potentially fatal) for children with heart disease. If your child or family has a history of heart disease, tell the doctor before taking stimulant medication.
