It’s important to know that all medications pose risks and potential side effects. Not all of them are guaranteed to have the same effect in everyone. Your own health and genetic history may also be a very important factor that your physician will take into consideration, since some medicines for ADHD are known to be of more concern for those with a history of heart disease or tics.

It should be noted also that while we will try to update this list as much as possible with new medical findings and research, there is no guarantee that we can be sure this list is the most up to date because things can change often, frequently, and rather quickly. It should also be noted that we here at ADHD Parent support do not recommend any one medication over another, because it is a decision that is best left up to you and your doctor. There is no such thing as the “best medications for ADHD” because it will vary from person to person. Not all medications have the same effect and results on everyone and so talking to your doctor is the best course of action to pursue. This ADHD medications list is here mainly for information purposes so if your doctor is talking about switching medicines you can have a familiarity of the different drugs available.

Another important thing to note is that some medications listed here have not been approved for all ages or may have certain age restrictions, such as being meant for adults only or not being studied in children under the age of 12 or 6. So depending on your child’s age not all of these medications may even be an option for you to consider just yet.

You may also want to consult with your health insurance company. Not all insurance companies will cover all medications, and many may even only cover the generic unless it can be proved medically necessary through your physician and the pharmacist. It is unfortunate because this leads to many parents being forced to try certain medications when they would rather avoid them.

To help make this list the least confusing, we’ve gathered the medications together under the type of generic name brand.

Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine: Adderall, Adderall XR

Methylphenidate: Concerta, Daytrona, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Ritalin

Methamphetamine: Desoxyn

Dextroamphetamine: Dexedrine, Dextrostat

Dexmethylphenidate: Focalin, Focalin XR

Lisdexamfetamine: Vyvanse

Buspirone:Buspar

Clonidine: Catapres

Did we forget to list medications for ADHD you have used or heard of? Share it in the comments below.

However, before you jump out to buy fish oil, there’s an important thing to remember: not all fish oil products are the same and there is no guarantee that it will improve your child or even be safer for them. In fact, one Norwegian study showed that those who ate foods with the Omega Three naturally in them saw greater absorption from smaller amounts of food than larger amounts of supplements. Eating salmon once a week for example, could be better than taking a large amount of supplements.

Fish oil is thought to have many benefits and it is derived from the tissues of fish such as salmon, mackerel, trout, tuna, and herring. However, there are also some concerns about toxins such as mercury and other contaminants, which is why the FDA recommends that only a limited amount be consumed each week.

The benefit of eating these fish or taking the supplements lies in the Omega 3 Fatty Acids. These Omega Three essential acids are believed to have many important nutrients that our body does not produce on its own.

Many children however are likely not going to enjoy the taste or smell of these supplements (after all, they are a little fishy!) and even getting a child who is a picky eater to eat the salmon or tuna could be a bit of a challenge – there are adults who don’t even like it!

The good news is that Omega 3 acids can be found naturally in other foods that your kids likely will eat – and giving them natural whole foods is the safest thing you can do since many vitamin supplements can sometimes do more harm than good. Since supplements are not regulated by the FDA may also not have the quality and standards you would expect or require. You also want to make sure that you do not take too much, as the adage of “too much of a good thing” can really hold true for many. Those who have taken large mega doses of Omega Three’s have been subject to problems with blood thinning and even possibly stroke.

For the safest way to test any benefit or improvement in your child, eating healthy foods is the recommended way to go by most pediatricians. The other foods that contain omega 3 beside salmon include Flax seed and walnuts, which can be incorporated into just about any child’s diet unless a nut allergy is a concern. Flax seeds can easily be incorporated into a number of recipes or even turned into flour which you can purchase. Other foods that have some of these fatty acids include Cloves, Kale, spinach, raspberries, mustard seeds, broccoli, and a few others. Some organic eggs and grass fed beef also contain higher sources of Omega 3 Fatty Acids, and most kids will eat these things without too much complaint.

There is certainly no to little harm in incorporating salmon, walnuts, spinach, raspberries, and flax seed into a child’s regular diet as long as no allergy concerns are present. However, taking supplements should only be done under the recommendation of a child’s pediatrician, as the concern for contaminants and whether it is actually necessary of beneficial is still a subject of controversy amongst many.

It’s also important to remember that before changing your child’s medication for ADHD you should always consult with a doctor to make sure that is done in a safe method, as some medications can cause severe symptoms when stopped suddenly. Being an informed parent and choosing a doctor who does not just reach for the prescription pad can help you determine the best route of treatment for your child.

Do you have any experience using fish oil for ADHD? Share your comments about ADHD, fish oil, and omega three fatty acids in the comments section below.

As parents we’re left basically with unknown territory and the FDA and drug companies, which many people do not trust, especially knowing that many of the major drug companies provide funding for the approval of drugs. Stories of children having negative, even life threatening side effects to ADHD treatments and medications leaves many parents wondering if there is a safer and more natural remedy to help their struggling child and help them save their own sanity

In the uncharted territory of alternative treatments available parents must be just as equally cautious as they are about putting their child on medication. We live in a society where we would all like instant results and cures for our problems and ailments. Unfortunately there are many people who prey on this desire for us to believe there is a miracle cure and will try to convince you and sell you just about anything – and whether it’s safe or effective doesn’t matter to them. While we’d all like to take some sort of magical formula and watch all of our problems disappear, it usually takes quite a bit more work than that.

That is why this website ADHD Parent Support does not recommend or support any specific treatment or cure for ADHD symptoms. Every child is different, and so is every situation unique in diagnosing the condition as well as the way to treat it.

The best thing parents can do is to seek the trusted opinion of behavioral health specialists, educate themselves as much as possible in the different treatments available, and try to look at the situation objectively in making a decision to determine the best thing for their child’s health.

Allowing social media stigmas against medication or therapy or the opinions of family members, friends, or other parents influence your decision you may not ultimately be what is best for you and your child. This list is meant to be only a resource in helping you learn the different alternatives available that you can research further and discuss with your child’s doctor.

Here is an overview of natural remedy options:

Behavioral Counseling: While behavioral counseling is not a “natural remedy” in the form of something you can take or eat, it is one of the most useful and successful methods in treating ADHD successfully, with or without the use of other treatments or medications. For children too young for medication, or for those who constantly struggle with behavioral issues, it can take many months or years to see improvement, but in general it always leads to a more positive outcome.  Finding the right therapist is vital – be sure to find someone with a thorough understanding and plenty of experience.

Diet: Many parents and professionals have speculated that diet may be a way to change a child’s behavior. The keyword here is speculated, since there have not been a lot of studies done that effectively prove that it is what causes symptoms or can help alleviate them. The ADHD diet is a strict one that may also potentially deprive your child of nutritional value he or she needs that restricts a large amount of dairy, protein, and whole grains. For parents of picky eaters, it would be practically impossible to try this diet without first being involved in a major battle of what the kid can and cannot eat. Having other family members in the house would also cause a lot of grief with this. If you are considering a special diet for your child, it would be best to first speak with your pediatrician and a nutrition specialist who can perform allergy tests. You may likely be best off simply following the USDA’s guidelines for a well balanced diet outlined by the food pyramid.

Vitamins: From fish oil to flaxseed to Vitamin C, there are plenty of supplements and vitamins available that many believe could potentially help with ADHD. However, most people do not realize that if they are eating a well balanced and nutritional diet they do not need vitamins – and taking more vitamins that your body needs can be much more dangerous than a potential deficiency. For example, takin iron supplements without the direction or advice of a doctor can be fatal. Again, speak with a pediatrician or child nutritionist before taking any course of action. You can likely get all of the child’s needs in a well balanced diet without the need of supplements. See our article on ADHD Vitamin Supplements.

Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for treatment of emotional or physical symptoms. While there have been proven studies that certain smells do change our patterns of brain waves, it is also another untested territory related to ADHD. It is believed that citrus smells such as orange and lemon can be related to helping improve focus and concentration, where smells such as lavender can help with relaxation. Will burning scented aromatherapy candles transform your child’s behavior overnight? Most likely not, but at least your house will smell good!

Music Therapy: Music therapy is another natural remedy option that some parents may wish to explore. There is some research supporting the effect of music in calming and focusing, though specific ADHD treatment studies are few and far between. You can find meditative music just about anywhere, though there are other audio tracks that work specifically on tuning to certain frequencies and rhythms to produce an effect. Speaking to a reputable and experienced music therapist can give you more information and insight on this type of treatment.

Meditation: Meditation is another possible treatment source for ADHD that does not require drugs or medication. However, it is quite likely that you will have difficulty in getting your ADHD child to sit somewhere long enough to practice meditative techniques. If you can find a child meditation specialist in your area, that may help you learn ways to get him or her interested. While it most likely will not cure ADHD, as there is no cure, it could be a good way to learn how to manage hyperactivity and over stimulation.

With so many different ADHD natural remedy options, it is not surprising that some parents may decide to try these instead or in lieu of professional advice. Many parents are looking for that magical miracle cure when unfortunately one does not exist, and it can take years of experimentation with medications, therapy, and other treatments before finally finding the right combination of things that is best for you and your child. For these reasons, it is imperative to start things off right and as soon as possible by talking to your child’s doctor. The sooner you start seeking help, the sooner you will better understand the disorder and begin seeing hope again.

Every medication has the potential to have negative side effects, even those we consider to be generally “safe” such as Tylenol. Many medications have side effects that are not discovered until numerous years after it has been sold and marketed, simply because different people will have different reactions to different chemicals and foods. There are no two people who are exactly the same, which is why there is no way to know for sure all of the potential effects of taking a medication and how it work and how the body will respond to it. This especially holds true for newer drugs that come on the market. Methylphenidate, which was first available in the 1960′s, has been around long enough that most of the side effects from using it have been discovered and recognized. However, Concerta is only an 8 year old medication and it is important to know that not everyone reports side effects to the FDA. An extremely useful website for determining what findings have been found with medication is the FDA’s MedWatch site.

Here is a brief list of the most common occurrences when taking the medication:

Loss of Appetite
Insomnia
Stomach Cramping
Headache
Irritability, Aggression
Nausea
Sadness, Depression
Dry Mouth
Tics, muscle twitching
Increased Risk for Upper Respiratory Infections

Some of these signs may appear after using the drug just once or for a few days or weeks and then go away after the body has adjusted to the change. For others there may be no symptoms until after they have used it for an extended period of time or dosage has been increased. For many, making small adjustments in dosage amounts have been successful in taking the medication. It should also be noted that children and adults may react differently. It is generally not recommended for children under the age of 6.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s prescriptions, you should speak with your doctor, especially if the symptoms they are experiencing after use are severe or very noticeable. Being able to communicate effectively with the health care professionals you trust will help you be able to make the best and safest decision for your child’s well being and health.

Do you have any experiences with Concerta side effects? Share them in the comments below.

But when attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is properly diagnosed, for many parents choosing to medicate your child may be the best solution in conjunction with behavioral therapy. Most professionals, despite what the media would make you think, do not automatically prescribe Ritalin or Concerta just because parents can’t stand their child’s behavior anymore. Usually it is only after an extended period of time with behavioral therapy proves ineffective and other alternatives do not provide relief do physicians then suggest the possibility of using pharmaceuticals.

It is important for parents and children to realize that ADD is not just a label for poor behavior. While it may seem unfair to view it as a disability, realizing that it is a medical condition equivalent to other manageable diseases and conditions such as diabetes that need constant monitoring and controlling can help you understand why using medicines may be eventually the only option that can actually result in great improvement.

Much of the concern of using medications for ADHD stems from the potential side effects, which are often loss of appetite, insomnia, lethargy from too high of a dose, and other potential problems resulting from family genetics and history of other diseases. Most physicians will require a full report of family history as well as do a thorough physical exam before prescribing ADHD medication treatment. For example, if there is a history of heart disease or sudden unexplained deaths in a family, most doctors will require testing such as an EKG and a full cardiology exam before writing the prescription to ensure that the child’s genetic disposition does not put him or her at an increased risk for using drug treatments.

All pharmaceutical drugs pose a risk to all people, regardless of age, gender, race, or family health history. Often times an underlying and undiagnosed condition are the culprit in severe side effects or complications associated with using drugs to treat the disorder. If ADHD medication side effects are a primary concern for you, your doctor should be willing to discuss the potential risks with you openly. It is then necessary for you to decide if the potential risks outweigh the possible benefits and vice versa. For example, if your child’s diagnosis is something that makes him or her do dangerous things that may cause injury to oneself or others, it is likely the potential benefits far outweigh the risks. It may also be necessary in cases where daily life has become so unbearable that both the parents and the child can no longer cope or function with other tasks. When all other possibilities for treatment have been exhausted, it is likely that prescription drugs may be able to provide a huge relief for both parents and child.

Finding the proper treatment and dosage is usually the most difficult part for parents and physicians to determine. Most doctors will begin at the lowest possible dosage and then monitor the child’s changes in behavior and progress in order to determine if the right treatment has been selected, or if a higher dosage may result in a much better outcome. There are many different types of brand names for the different prescriptions available, the most commonly known one being Ritalin. Concerta over the past few years has become more popular, and there are also other types as well. Almost all of the different drugs are some type of form of the stimulant Methylphenidate. While Ritalin is the one with the most bad press, it is also the oldest one that has been in use, which makes many doctors feel most comfortable with it because it has been studied for a long period of time (several decades) and is considered to be one of the safer ones.

However, one of the problems with Ritalin is that it is not long lasting. Most dosages may wear off after only 4 to 6 hours, which is barely enough to cover a school day, let alone make it through homework time or other activities. Because of this shortcoming, there are now several extended release formulas available which generally last 12 hours or so, depending on the child’s reaction to the product.

Your doctor should be able to provide you with adhd medication comparisons to help you determine the best treatment options for your child. Since medication legislation, dosages available, new brands and developments, and other important information often frequently change, rather than list all of the possible drugs here for you to compare and decide, we feel that it is best for you to speak about it with your doctor, who should have a list available for you to look at for weighing the pros and the cons.

A well qualified and experienced physician/child psychiatrist will be able to tell you from personal experience as well as the latest news releases and information updates which medications for ADHD are considered to be the most beneficial and pose the least amount of risk for side effects complications to your child. Remember that everyone’s personal health history and situation is different, which is why you will much likely be at more benefit to speak with your doctor than rely on information you read on websites.

Having open communication with your child’s doctor will greatly help clear up any confusion you have, as well as address your fears, hopes, and concerns. Your child’s physicians should be seen as your biggest assets and allies in controlling, managing, and effectively living with ADHD, as they are able to assess the situation objectively and suggest the best possible solutions.

Setting Realistic Goals
In order to determine the best course for treating ADHD, it’s important for parents to assess what problems need to be addressed the most importantly and set realistic goals for their child to meet. There should be several “long term goals” that will be an overall objective, as well as immediate goals that can be reached. For example, having B average grades could be a realistic long term goal for a student who is struggling greatly in school. A short term goal would be to complete homework assignments on time. It is best to choose more specific goals in order to decide the best course of action. It is much easier to break down and work on small parts of a larger problem than to just lump together one general statement of “do better in school”.

Courses of Action for Treatment:
Once the goals are decided upon, the next step is to decide how those goals will be achieved. It will vary largely on the degree of your child’s ADHD, their age, and what activities have been done before, if any, to determine what things should be done to reach the goals. For example, if the goal is to get homework completed on time, setting routines and teaching organizational methods should be part of the treatment plan.

Courses of action can include any of the following things:

• Family and Individual Counseling sessions
• Educating Family Members/Caregivers about ADHD
• Behavior Therapy
• Social Interaction/Building Activities
• Changing Environmental Influences
• Parenting Skills and Support
• Medications or Other Alternative Therapies

Rating and Measuring Component
In order to determine if treatment is being successful or ineffective, there must be a measurable component. For example, a goal may be “Jenny will do her homework without verbal prompting at least three times a week.” By attaching a number to the goal, parents and caregivers will be able to tell if she is meeting the goal or not based on how many times they need to ask or remind the child about homework per week. Another method of assessing an improvement or change in behavior is through assigning a rating scale. For example, hyperactivity may be related on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being calm and 1 being very hyper. The goal could be “Jenny will reduce her hyperactivity from a level 10 to a level 3″. When the treatment plan is reassessed, parents could then say that they feel the hyperactivity level is at a 7 or an 8 for example compared to the 10 when they first started the program.

Creating an ADHD treatment plan should be highly individualized for you and your child’s needs. No two children are alike, and therefore there is no “standardized” method of treating problems. However, it is likely that nearly all plans will include and involve the above three items. By determining goals that can be realistically met as well as long term goals, deciding on the best course of action to meet those goals, and assessing periodically the effectiveness of the actions to their relationship to the goal, you will likely begin seeing progress within just a few months for the smaller goals and feel that the long term goals are no longer so high out of reach.

With all of the negative perceptions and misinformation about drugs and medications, as well as concerns about dosage and dangerous side effects, it is only natural for parents to be hesitant about putting their child on medications for ADHD. In some cases, medications do not even work successfully in reducing symptoms and treating the disorder, which can leave parents and caregivers even more desperate to find an alternative treatment that may help their child.

It’s important for parents to remember that all drugs pose risks – even over the counter medications such as Tylenol that are generally considered safe in very young children can have the potential for side effects or complications. Most pediatricians do not even recommend giving children over the counter cold or cough medications because the likelihood for overdose is higher than it actually being effective in treating the symptoms of a cold.

When you are thinking about medications not being safe, you also need to realize that ADHD vitamin supplements may or may not be safe as well. Unfortunately there are many people who prey on those who are seeking a solution to their problems, and they will try to sell you just about anything to make a buck or two – irregardless of whether it is safe or effective. Vitamins, herbs, and natural supplements in general are not regulated or tested by the FDA. Some products may not have quality components, others may be nothing more than an expensive placebo. Some things, such as iron for example, can be toxic and cause a fatal overdose.

Another important consideration is that there is little evidence that supports that different herbal or vitamin supplements prove to be effective in treating and curing symptoms. In order for taking a vitamin to be justified, there should be a reason for its use, primarily a deficiency in the child’s nutrition. If we eat a well balanced diet full of vegetables, fruits, dairy, protein, and grains and you get the recommended servings per day, it’s very likely that no vitamin deficiency exists.

Unfortunately, very rarely will parents take the time to speak to a nutritionist to determine if their child in fact does or does not need vitamins or a dietary supplement in addition to the foods they already eat. Taking too much of a vitamin or eating certain foods can also have potential consequences – for example too much protein or calcium could put you at risk for kidney stones.

While we don’t recommend any specific product that claims to help with treating ADHD since there is no evidence to support any of them actually work, we do think it’s important for parents to know the facts about different supplements available before potentially putting their child’s health and safety at risk. For that reason, below we’ve compiled a list of the most common dietary supplements below that are believed to help in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder:

Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Essential Fatty Acids, sometimes called EFA’s, are another big contender that is believed to help improve focus and concentration. Unfortunately, EFA’s are difficult to keep intact in pill or even liquid format, so buying them as a supplement may be nothing more than a waste of effort and money. You also run the risk of contamination or other problems, especially if taking fish oil which could potentially contain mercury. Instead, it would be much better to include foods that contain these acids naturally into your child’s diet. Salmon, flaxseed, and walnuts are the top three contenders for being high in essential fatty acids and can easily and safely be incorporated into a balanced meal plan as long as your have no allergy concerns.

Zinc: It is believed that a zinc deficiency may be linked to hyperactivity, though it seems to have no effect on inattentiveness. It’s also important to realize however that zinc in too large of doses can also potentially be toxic. In general, foods that are high in protein such as beef, poultry, seafood, beans, and others contain enough zinc that if your child is eating a regular balanced diet it is likely he or she would not have a deficiency.

Vitamin C: Taking excessive amounts of vitamin C will likely do little good, since it is not a mineral that is absorbed in our body. Again, rather than taking a supplement it would be better to simply make sure your diet includes foods that contain vitamin c, such as fortified cereals or orange juice.

Iron: Too much iron can be toxic and deadly. If you have concerns about an iron deficiency ALWAYS speak to your doctor who can do a simple blood test to confirm if your child needs more iron in his or her diet.

There are many other herbal remedies that people will suggest, but in general are not believed to be safe or effective in children, such as ginseng or St. John’s Wort. If you believe that your child’s nutrition may be playing a role in his or her behavior, the best thing you can do is speak with a qualified child nutritionist to create a balanced meal plan that will give them all of the vitamins and minerals they need in the most beneficial format – naturally. It may not help with the symptoms of ADHD, but at least you know your child will be eating a healthy diet.

Have any thoughts on ADHD supplements? Share them in the comments below.