Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) affects a child's behavior and ability to pay attention. ADHD symptoms are noticed early in a child's life and continue into adulthood. Children with ADHD tend to be: It may be hard to know if your child has ADHD or is just misbehaving. It's normal for a child to be inattentive, impulsive, or hyperactive from time to time. But if these behaviors continue or become worse, they may be signs of ADHD. The exact cause of ADHD is not clear, but it tends to run in families. Some medical problems have symptoms that look like ADHD, so it's important that your child gets the right diagnosis. Your doctor may do some tests and ask you and your child questions to help rule out other problems, such as depression or an anxiety disorder. Sometimes the symptoms of bipolar disorder and ADHD can be confused. The symptoms of ADHD can also be confused with a learning disability. A psychologist can do some tests to see if your child is having trouble learning how to read, write, or do math problems. There is no cure for ADHD. But treatment can help manage your child's symptoms. Without treatment, your child is more likely to: Stimulant medicines are most often used to treat moderate to severe symptoms of ADHD. These medicines affect the way your child's brain controls impulses, behavior, and attention. Stimulant medicines are sorted into two groups: If these medicines don't help, your doctor may suggest nonstimulant medicines to treat ADHD. These include: Sometimes antidepressants are also recommended. Stimulant medicines are the most effective treatment for ADHD. They improve ADHD symptoms in about 70 out of 100 children who take them.footnote 1 This means that they don't improve symptoms in about 30 out of 100 children who take them. Studies have shown that children who take stimulant medicines:footnote 1 Studies have also shown that:footnote 2 Even though medicine can help improve your child's symptoms, it can't solve all of your child's behavior problems. Your child may also benefit from counseling, behavior therapy, or social skills training. Your child will take pills every day for as long as he or she needs them. It's important that your child takes the medicine as prescribed and keeps taking it so it has time to work. If you don't see any improvement in your child's behavior, talk to your doctor. Your child may need to try several different medicines to find one that works for him or her. You'll need to closely watch your child after he or she begins to take the medicine. The medicine may cause side effects, but they will usually go away within the first few weeks. If they don't, your doctor may need to lower the dose. Common side effects include: Stimulant medicines may be related to slower growth in children, especially in the first year of taking the medicine. But most children seem to catch up in height and weight by adulthood. Your doctor will keep track of your child's growth and watch for problems.footnote 2 Studies show that when used for only a short time, medicines for ADHD are safe and can help improve your child's behavior and quality of life. But there are some risks. And the effects of using these medicines over the long term haven't been studied. You'll need to weigh the benefits of your child taking medicine with the possible risks. There is a small chance that a child may think about suicide when he or she takes atomoxetine or an antidepressant. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't recommend that people stop using these medicines. Instead, people taking these medicines should be watched for warning signs of suicide, such as saying they're going to hurt themselves, talking or writing about death, or giving away their things. This is especially important at the beginning of treatment or when doses are changed. Studies have found that less than 1 out of 100 children who used atomoxetine thought about suicide, while more than 99 out of 100 didn't.footnote 3 Most medicines for ADHD come with an FDA warning about possible heart-related or mental health problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if your child has any heart problems, heart defects, or mental health problems or if there is a family history of these problems. The FDA has issued an advisory about atomoxetine and the risks of liver injury, orthostatic hypotension, and syncope. Call your doctor if you have nausea or belly pain. Also, call your doctor if you feel dizzy or lightheaded or if your skin is yellowing. If your child is age 4 to 5 years, then treatments other than medicine may be enough to help your child improve his or her behavior. Behavior therapies and extra support at home and in school can help your child succeed and feel better about himself or herself. If your child is age 6 years or older, the doctor will suggest medicine or behavior therapy or both. These treatments work for some children: Your doctor may suggest that your child take medicine if: Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. We thought that our son had a learning disability. He seemed "spacey" at times. When he was little, he couldn't pay attention long enough for me to read an entire book to him. As he got older, he did poorly on standardized tests at school. A psychiatrist finally diagnosed him with ADHD and suggested that medicine might be helpful. We are thinking it over and will probably try it. Our son is old enough to help us with the decision too. I'm sure he would be happy to have some help staying on task at school and with his homework. Parents of Michael, age 11 We thought our son was just a little more energetic than other kids. Then he started preschool. We got a call from the teacher on his second day there. Turns out he was a lot more "energetic" than the other kids. We have been working with his doctor and with the preschool teacher for several months on different ways to get him to sit still and stay on task. He's made some progress, but he is still a handful. We are trying to hold off on trying medicine until he is around age 6. We realize that he may always need more than just a little extra attention in order to succeed in school. Parents of Carlos, age 4 Our daughter Ann Marie doesn't have many friends at school. Her impulsive behavior is so out of control that none of the other kids want to play with her. It is hard for us, because we know what a warm and fun-loving child she is. When our doctor suggested that she might benefit from medicines, we were happy to have an option that might make it easier for her to get along with her classmates. Parents of Ann Marie, age 6 We aren't sure what our daughter's problem is—ADHD, learning disability, depression, or some combination of things. It's a little frustrating that it seems to be taking so long to figure it out, but we like our doctor and she has done a good job of helping us understand why there are no quick and easy answers. Our daughter isn't hyper like a lot of kids with ADHD, but she can't seem to pay attention in class and she's not doing well in school. We work with her most nights at home to help her focus on her homework, and we do not want to put her on any medicine at this point. But if her grades still aren't up at the end of this quarter, we may consider trying medicine to help her focus. Parents of Emily, age 7 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons for your child to take medicine for ADHD Reasons for your child not to take medicine My child wants to try medicine. My child doesn't want to try medicine. My child's ADHD isn't improving with counseling alone. I want my child to continue counseling, without medicine, at least for a while. I'm worried that ADHD is affecting my child's schoolwork and relationships with friends and family. My child's schoolwork and relationships with friends and family don't seem to be affected. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having my child take medicine NOT having my child take medicine Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) affects a child's behavior and ability to pay attention. ADHD symptoms are noticed early in a child's life and continue into adulthood. Children with ADHD tend to be: It may be hard to know if your child has ADHD or is just misbehaving. It's normal for a child to be inattentive, impulsive, or hyperactive from time to time. But if these behaviors continue or become worse, they may be signs of ADHD. The exact cause of ADHD is not clear, but it tends to run in families. Some medical problems have symptoms that look like ADHD, so it's important that your child gets the right diagnosis. Your doctor may do some tests and ask you and your child questions to help rule out other problems, such as depression or an anxiety disorder. Sometimes the symptoms of bipolar disorder and ADHD can be confused. The symptoms of ADHD can also be confused with a learning disability. A psychologist can do some tests to see if your child is having trouble learning how to read, write, or do math problems. There is no cure for ADHD. But treatment can help manage your child's symptoms. Without treatment, your child is more likely to: Stimulant medicines are most often used to treat moderate to severe symptoms of ADHD. These medicines affect the way your child's brain controls impulses, behavior, and attention. Stimulant medicines are sorted into two groups: If these medicines don't help, your doctor may suggest nonstimulant medicines to treat ADHD. These include: Sometimes antidepressants are also recommended. Stimulant medicines are the most effective treatment for ADHD. They improve ADHD symptoms in about 70 out of 100 children who take them.1 This means that they don't improve symptoms in about 30 out of 100 children who take them. Studies have shown that children who take stimulant medicines:1 Studies have also shown that:2 Even though medicine can help improve your child's symptoms, it can't solve all of your child's behavior problems. Your child may also benefit from counseling, behavior therapy, or social skills training. Your child will take pills every day for as long as he or she needs them. It's important that your child takes the medicine as prescribed and keeps taking it so it has time to work. If you don't see any improvement in your child's behavior, talk to your doctor. Your child may need to try several different medicines to find one that works for him or her. You'll need to closely watch your child after he or she begins to take the medicine. The medicine may cause side effects, but they will usually go away within the first few weeks. If they don't, your doctor may need to lower the dose. Common side effects include: Stimulant medicines may be related to slower growth in children, especially in the first year of taking the medicine. But most children seem to catch up in height and weight by adulthood. Your doctor will keep track of your child's growth and watch for problems.2 Studies show that when used for only a short time, medicines for ADHD are safe and can help improve your child's behavior and quality of life. But there are some risks. And the effects of using these medicines over the long term haven't been studied. You'll need to weigh the benefits of your child taking medicine with the possible risks. There is a small chance that a child may think about suicide when he or she takes atomoxetine or an antidepressant. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't recommend that people stop using these medicines. Instead, people taking these medicines should be watched for warning signs of suicide, such as saying they're going to hurt themselves, talking or writing about death, or giving away their things. This is especially important at the beginning of treatment or when doses are changed. Studies have found that less than 1 out of 100 children who used atomoxetine thought about suicide, while more than 99 out of 100 didn't.3 Most medicines for ADHD come with an FDA warning about possible heart-related or mental health problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if your child has any heart problems, heart defects, or mental health problems or if there is a family history of these problems. The FDA has issued an advisory about atomoxetine and the risks of liver injury, orthostatic hypotension, and syncope. Call your doctor if you have nausea or belly pain. Also, call your doctor if you feel dizzy or lightheaded or if your skin is yellowing. If your child is age 4 to 5 years, then treatments other than medicine may be enough to help your child improve his or her behavior. Behavior therapies and extra support at home and in school can help your child succeed and feel better about himself or herself. If your child is age 6 years or older, the doctor will suggest medicine or behavior therapy or both. These treatments work for some children: Your doctor may suggest that your child take medicine if: These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "We thought that our son had a learning disability. He seemed "spacey" at times. When he was little, he couldn't pay attention long enough for me to read an entire book to him. As he got older, he did poorly on standardized tests at school. A psychiatrist finally diagnosed him with ADHD and suggested that medicine might be helpful. We are thinking it over and will probably try it. Our son is old enough to help us with the decision too. I'm sure he would be happy to have some help staying on task at school and with his homework." — Parents of Michael, age 11 "We thought our son was just a little more energetic than other kids. Then he started preschool. We got a call from the teacher on his second day there. Turns out he was a lot more "energetic" than the other kids. We have been working with his doctor and with the preschool teacher for several months on different ways to get him to sit still and stay on task. He's made some progress, but he is still a handful. We are trying to hold off on trying medicine until he is around age 6. We realize that he may always need more than just a little extra attention in order to succeed in school." — Parents of Carlos, age 4 "Our daughter Ann Marie doesn't have many friends at school. Her impulsive behavior is so out of control that none of the other kids want to play with her. It is hard for us, because we know what a warm and fun-loving child she is. When our doctor suggested that she might benefit from medicines, we were happy to have an option that might make it easier for her to get along with her classmates." — Parents of Ann Marie, age 6 "We aren't sure what our daughter's problem is—ADHD, learning disability, depression, or some combination of things. It's a little frustrating that it seems to be taking so long to figure it out, but we like our doctor and she has done a good job of helping us understand why there are no quick and easy answers. Our daughter isn't hyper like a lot of kids with ADHD, but she can't seem to pay attention in class and she's not doing well in school. We work with her most nights at home to help her focus on her homework, and we do not want to put her on any medicine at this point. But if her grades still aren't up at the end of this quarter, we may consider trying medicine to help her focus." — Parents of Emily, age 7 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons for your child to take medicine for ADHD Reasons for your child not to take medicine My child wants to try medicine. My child doesn't want to try medicine. My child's ADHD isn't improving with counseling alone. I want my child to continue counseling, without medicine, at least for a while. I'm worried that ADHD is affecting my child's schoolwork and relationships with friends and family. My child's schoolwork and relationships with friends and family don't seem to be affected. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having my child take medicine NOT having my child take medicine 1.
Can medicine cure ADHD? 2.
Do ADHD medicines have side effects? 3.
Are there other ways to treat ADHD that don't involve taking medicine? 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: June 24, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardADHD: Should My Child Take Medicine for ADHD?
ADHD: Should My Child Take Medicine for ADHD?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is ADHD?
What are the risks of not treating your child for ADHD?
What medicines can your child take for ADHD?
How well do these medicines work?
What can you expect if your child takes medicine for ADHD?
What are the side effects of these medicines?
What are the risks of these medicines?
FDA advisories
What other treatments are available?
Why might your doctor recommend medicine to treat your child's ADHD?
Compare your options
Personal stories about taking medicine for ADHD
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits and References
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.ADHD: Should My Child Take Medicine for ADHD?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is ADHD?
What are the risks of not treating your child for ADHD?
What medicines can your child take for ADHD?
How well do these medicines work?
What can you expect if your child takes medicine for ADHD?
What are the side effects of these medicines?
What are the risks of these medicines?
FDA advisories
What other treatments are available?
Why might your doctor recommend medicine to treat your child's ADHD?
2. Compare your options
Have your child take medicine for ADHD Don't have your child take medicine What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about taking medicine for ADHD
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Have your child take medicine for ADHD Have your child take medicine for ADHD
Don't have your child take medicine Don't have your child take medicine
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
Credits
References
Citations
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
FAQs
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
That's right. Medicine can't cure ADHD, but it may help improve your child's symptoms.
That's right. Medicines can help, but they have side effects and risks.
That's right. Counseling, behavior therapy, or social skills training may be enough to improve your child's behavior, especially if your child is age 4 or 5. But an older child may also need medicine.
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
Credits
References
Citations