ADHD Medications

ADHD Medications for Adults: ADD Treatment Q&A on Types, Side Effects

Is ADD medication safe? Does it work? What are the side effects? After an ADHD diagnosis, most patients have lots of questions about the best way to manage symptoms with a prescription. Our expert has answers.

Russell Barkley, Ph.D.
By Russell Barkley, Ph.D. Verified Updated on May 30, 2024
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November 15, 2012

ADHD Medication: Does it Work for Adults?

When adults ask me questions about why they should try medication to manage their ADHD, my answer always comes down to two words: Medication works. When you find the right medicine, you can experience substantial improvements in your ADHD symptoms.

Adults diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADHD) later in life have many questions about stimulant medications, just as parents do about giving drugs to their child. After all, adults may be taking ADHD medication for the rest of their life. Here are seven common queries, and my answers to them.

For details on specific stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications, including dosages, precautions, and interactions, visit the WebMD Drugs & Medication Database.

Will ADHD stimulant medication make me antsy?

The term “stimulant” is misleading. Stimulant medications, like methylphenidate…

…and amphetamine…

…do make people without ADHD more alert and awake; they stimulate activity in the frontal regions of the brain. The reason they don’t make hyperactive adults more restless is that these parts of the brain are underactive in people with ADHD. There is not enough norepinephrine and dopamine to send signals between neurons to stimulate the mind to pay attention or sit still.

[Get This Free Resource: The Ultimate Guide to ADHD Medication]

Does ADHD stimulant medication have any long-term negative effects?

As far as we know, you can take ADHD medication for as many years as you may need to manage your symptoms and reduce related impairments.

Is there any evidence that Ritalin or other stimulant ADHD medications are safe or unsafe for expectant mothers?

There is no evidence concerning the effects of any ADHD medications on expectant mothers or their babies. At this time, manufacturers of such medications recommend that women discontinue taking ADHD medications after they conceive.*

Are generic versions as effective as brand-name ADHD stimulants?

Generic medications appear not to be manufactured with the same degree of precision as brand-name medications. The generics have had numerous reports of greater variability in controlling symptoms on a day-to-day basis and less success overall in managing symptoms.

Is it possible to build tolerance to ADHD stimulant medications? If so, how do I avoid this, or how do I handle it once I’m experiencing it?

Actual physical tolerance seems unlikely with the current ADHD medications, but some individuals report that their medication seems less effective about three to six months after starting their treatment. This usually requires an adjustment of the dose, or, sometimes, changing to a different delivery system or medication. Clinically, we sometimes see people complaining that their medicine isn’t working as well as before, but these people are usually going through an unusually stressful or demanding period in their lives that may exacerbate ADHD symptoms. They may need to temporarily change their dose or address the source of the stress at these times.

[Click to Read: 10 Things Your Doctor May Not Tell You About ADHD Medication]

I’ve heard that ADHD stimulants can make people more irritable or angry or increase muscle tension. Is this true?

In rare cases, a side effect of stimulants is that they make people with ADD more irritable or angry. This may depend on your personality, what other disorders you may have, and which executive functions have been most affected by ADHD. Some people do experience increased muscle tension — your body may feel tense, or you may experience a clenched jaw — especially if you are taking higher-than-typical doses.

Can I drink alcohol or take other drugs when I am taking a stimulant?

Yes, but do so in moderation. The only drugs you should avoid are other stimulants. Caffeine and alcohol do not interact adversely with ADHD meds. Nicotine, though, can act as a stimulant, compounding the effects of ADHD medication on your heart rate and blood pressure. If you are a smoker, discuss it with your doctor.

*Since the publication of this article, new research has been published, revealing that the decision whether to continue stimulant medication while pregnant is a complex one that will depend on each woman’s specific situation. Some recent studies have suggested a potential association between the use of methylphenidate and cardiac malformations, while others have found no increased risks for adverse outcomes in the babies of those who used stimulants. Women who are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant should discuss with their doctor. 

Excerpted from Taking Charge of Adult ADHD (#CommissionsEarned), by RUSSELL A. BARKLEY, Ph.D., with Christine M. Benton. The Guilford Press, Copyright 2010.

Russell Barkley, Ph.D., is a member of ADDitude’s ADHD Medical Review Panel.

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