ADHD Medications

For decades, medications have been used to treat the symptoms of ADHD. Medications that have had the best affect are drugs known as stimulants.

Medications

The medications that seem to be the most effective are a class of drugs known as stimulants. Following is a list of the stimulants, their trade (or brand) names, and their generic names. "Approved age" means that the drug has been tested and found safe and effective in children of that age.

Trade Name

Generic Name

Approved Age

Adderall

amphetamine

3 and older

Concerta

methylphenidate
(long acting)

6 and older

Cylert*

pemoline

6 and older

Dexedrine

dextroamphetamine

3 and older

Dextrostat

dextroamphetamine

3 and older

Focalin

dexmethylphenidate

6 and older

Metadate ER

methylphenidate
(extended release)

6 and older

Metadate CD

methylphenidate
(extended release)

6 and older

Ritalin

methylphenidate

6 and older

Ritalin SR

methylphenidate
(extended release)

6 and older

Ritalin LA

methylphenidate
(long acting)

6 and older

*Because of its potential for serious side effects affecting the liver, Cylert should not ordinarily be considered as first-line drug therapy for ADHD.

Related Keywords: medications, drugs, ADHD, stimulants, ages for drugs

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