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Medications
A number of drugs have been approved to treat ADHD. But it's important to note that none of these medications cure the condition--they enable the child or adult to better control his or her attention and behavior. To that end, the patient and his or her family must work closely with the physician to:
- Arrive at an accurate diagnosis
- Decide whether medication is indicated and choose the correct prescription, if so
- Assess the effects and success of the drug, and monitor side effects
- Acknowledge that combinations of medicines may be necessary, especially when the patient has more than one diagnosis or when the symptoms are severe
- Adjust the dosage if necessary, especially over time
- Discuss a change to a different medication if necessary
A drug is selected by determining:
- The presence of accompanying conditions such as depression, anxiety, and severe impulsivity
- Side effects, such as rebound of ADHD symptoms as a stimulant wears off, the presence of motor or vocal tics, upset stomach, and loss of appetite.
You and an older child or adolescent should discuss the choice of medicine with the doctor, reviewing the pros and cons of different options. Patients who do not respond to an ADHD medication can usually be prescribed a different drug. If no drugs are found to be beneficial, the doctor and the patient's family must investigate further. It's possible that the ADHD diagnosis may be wrong, or that the patient may have another disease that is interfering with drug therapy.
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