ADHD medications are prescription drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a set of chronic conditions marked by an inability to pay attention, hyperactivity and a tendency to engage in impulsive acts. The drugs are often highly effective in helping patients to control behavioral problems that hinder them in day-to-day life.

Although they are not certain, experts theorize that ADHD medications improve symptoms by increasing activity in certain parts of the brain that are underactive. ADHD medications function by boosting and balancing levels of chemicals known as neurotransmitters in the brain. Patients who take these drugs often experience dramatically reduced levels of hyperactivity and impulsivity. This makes it much easier for them to focus on tasks such as working and learning. These drugs also improve coordination in some patients, making it easier for them to write or engage in athletics.

Individuals may respond differently to the various drugs used to treat ADHD. Parents are urged to work closely with physicians in trying to find the appropriate medication and dosage level for their child.

It is important to remember that medications cannot cure ADHD, but can only help control symptoms during the period that they are working in the body. Behavioral therapy, other forms of psychotherapy and family support are also crucial to helping children cope with ADHD.  

Children who take these drugs and find them to be effective may be asked by a physician to suspend use of the drugs for a period of time to see whether or not they are still necessary. This may be planned around a time such as summer vacation, when a child is more relaxed and has fewer tasks that need to be completed. In some cases, drugs are only necessary for a year or two before a change in a child’s symptoms renders them unnecessary.

In most cases patients will continue to take medications into adolescence and possibly into adulthood. About 80 percent of patients with ADHD take medication into their teenage years, and 50 percent of all patients will continue to require medication as adults, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).