- Ritalin is the most commonly prescribed stimulant medication for ADHD children. Available in a short-acting and a sustained-release form, Ritalin contains the primary ingredient of methylphenidate.
- Concerta is another methylphenidate medication, but it uses an osmotic system that administers the medicine in a pulsed pattern. This system provides 12 hours of treatment from a single daily dose.
- Adderall is a stimulant medication made from four different amphetamine salts. Adderall doses last from 6 to 12 hours.
- Daytrana is the first skin patch drug available to ADHD children. A fresh patch is applied to the skin every day, and it administers a 9-hour dose of methylphenidate.
- Stimulant medications help ADHD children focus and pay attention while reducing their hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Research suggests that stimulants increase the levels of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine, all neurotransmitters in the brain that control behavior, movement and attention.
- Common side effects of stimulant medications include insomnia, loss of appetite, stomach problems, headaches and nervousness. Mood changes often include anxiety, irritability and depression.
