ADHD in Adults (cont.)Medical Author:
Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD
Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MDDr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. She is a former Chair of the Committee on Developmental Disabilities for the American Psychiatric Association, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and Medical Director of the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, Maryland. Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRDr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. In this Article
 What medications are used in the treatment of adult ADHD?There are a variety of treatments available for managing ADHD, including several effective treatment medications, educational or vocational interventions, as well as specific forms of psychotherapy. In terms of medication, those in the stimulant class are known to be quite effective for treating ADHD. Examples of stimulant medications used to treat this condition include short-acting medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dexmethlyphenidate (Focalin), intermediate-acting medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall and Adderall-XR), and long-acting stimulants like methylphenidate slow release (Concerta, Daytrana), dexmethylphenidate (Focalin-XR), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). However, for some individuals, the side effects of the medication prevent these medications from being appropriate. Therefore, specific nonstimulant medications, which are also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for effective treatment of ADHD, are prescribed for those individuals. Examples of nonstimulant medications include atomoxetine (Strattera), guanfacine (Tenex or Intuniv), and clonidine (Kapvay). Examples of medications that are often used to treat depression, like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and venlafaxine (Effexor), may also be helpful in the treatment of ADHD for some individuals. Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 4/4/2013 Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Adult ADHD - Experiences
Question: Please share your experiences with adult ADHD.
Adult ADHD - Symptoms
Question: What were your symptoms of adult ADHD and how was it diagnosed?
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