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Medications for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

Other names: ADD; Attention Deficit Disorder; Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); Childhood Hyperkinesis

What is ADHD:  An inability to control behaviour due to difficulty in processing neural stimuli.

See also: sub-topics

Medications to treat ADHD

The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rx / OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol Reviews Rating Popularity
Ritalin-SR C 2 X 3 reviews
5.0

Generic name: methylphenidate systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

 
dexmethylphenidate C 2 124 reviews
7.0

Generic name: dexmethylphenidate systemic

Brand names:  Focalin, Focalin XR

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Methylin ER C 2 X 8 reviews
8.0

Generic name: methylphenidate systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

 
atomoxetine C N 304 reviews
5.0

Generic name: atomoxetine systemic

Brand name:  Strattera

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Dextrostat C 2 X 1 review
9.0

Generic name: dextroamphetamine systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Metadate ER C 2 X 1 review
7.0

Generic name: methylphenidate systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
methamphetamine C 2 X 27 reviews
8.0

Generic name: methamphetamine systemic

Brand name:  Desoxyn

Drug class: CNS stimulants, anorexiants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids Off Label C N 9 reviews
8.0

Generic name: omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids systemic

Drug class: nutraceutical products

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Natural Product Monographs, Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

 
Zenzedi C 2 X 8 reviews
8.0

Generic name: dextroamphetamine systemic

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Aptensio XR C 2 X 6 reviews
6.0

Generic name: methylphenidate systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
modafinil Off Label C 4 18 reviews
8.0

Generic name: modafinil systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

 
Adzenys XR-ODT C 2 X 21 reviews
5.0

Generic name: amphetamine systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
amantadine Off Label C N 3 reviews
8.0

Generic name: amantadine systemic

Drug class: adamantane antivirals, dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

 
armodafinil Off Label C 4 13 reviews
8.0

Generic name: armodafinil systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

 
Cotempla XR-ODT C 2 X Add review Rate

Generic name: methylphenidate systemic

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
desvenlafaxine Off Label C N X 5 reviews
8.0

Generic name: desvenlafaxine systemic

Drug class: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

 
Dyanavel XR C 2 X 8 reviews
6.0

Generic name: amphetamine systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Evekeo C 2 X 18 reviews
7.0

Generic name: amphetamine systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
imipramine Off Label N N X 1 review
3.0

Generic name: imipramine systemic

Drug class: tricyclic antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

 
Liquadd C 2 X Add review Rate

Generic name: dextroamphetamine systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

 
ProCentra C 2 X Add review Rate

Generic name: dextroamphetamine systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
QuilliChew ER C 2 X Add review Rate

Generic name: methylphenidate systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
selegiline Off Label C N 1 review
10

Generic name: selegiline systemic

Drug class: monoamine oxidase inhibitors, dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

 
desipramine Off Label N N X 1 review
6.0

Generic name: desipramine systemic

Drug class: tricyclic antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

 
Mydayis C 2 X 1 review
9.0

Generic name: amphetamine / dextroamphetamine systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
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Topics under ADHD

Alternative treatments for ADHD

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for ADHD. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of ADHD.

Learn more about ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

Symptoms and treatments

Legend

Off Label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
Prescription Only / Over the Counter
Rx Prescription Only
OTC Over the Counter
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over the Counter
Pregnancy
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act Schedule
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

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