Key points about ADHD medicine
- medicine can help tamariki with ADHD-Aroreretini manage their symptoms
- stimulant medicines are an effective treatment for many school-aged tamariki with ADHD-Aroreretini
- a health professional will carefully monitor your child while they are taking ADHD medicine
- medicine does not cure ADHD-Aroreretini
- medicine often works best alongside behavioural strategies and school support
What is ADHD medicine?
ADHD medicine helps reduce symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Medicine does not cure ADHD-Aroreretini. It helps control symptoms while your child is taking it.
Behavioural strategies and school support are important for all tamariki with ADHD-Aroreretini. Medicine is just one part of a wider support plan.
See the page on ADHD-Aroreretini for more information on other ways to manage ADHD-Aroreretini symptoms.
When is medicine recommended?
Your health professional may recommend medicine if your child has:
- ADHD-Aroreretini symptoms that significantly affect their day to day life including their learning and behaviour at school and home
- tried other strategies which haven't helped enough
A specialist health professional will assess your child before prescribing medicine. This may be a paediatrician (child health specialist), psychiatrist (mental health specialist) or nurse practitioner (child health specialist). They may give you a questionnaire to fill out with questions about your child’s symptoms.
Before starting medicine, your health professional will discuss benefits and possible side effects with you. This way, you can make an informed decision about whether to start ADHD medicine for your child.
Types of ADHD medicine
Stimulant medicines
Stimulants can be effective for managing ADHD-Aroreretini in school-aged tamariki.
They may help your child to:
- concentrate better
- be less impulsive
- feel calmer
- learn and practise new skills
Parents and teachers often notice improvement in symptoms a few weeks after the medicine starts.
The most common stimulant medicine in Aotearoa New Zealand is methylphenidate. There are also other stimulant medicines, such as dexamphetamine.
Stimulants can be:
- short-acting – working for a few hours
- longer-acting – working for most of the day
Your health professional will choose the type based on your child’s needs. It may take some time to find the right dose and timing.
Non-stimulant medicines
If stimulant medicines are not suitable or do not work well, there are other medicines. Your health professional can discuss these options with you.
How ADHD medicine works
Stimulant medicines act on parts of the brain involved in attention and self-control.
They increase the activity of certain brain chemicals that help with:
- focus
- organisation
- impulse control
ADHD medicine does not change the structure of the brain. It does not damage the brain and does not alter your child’s personality.
Most stimulant medicines are short-acting. This means they work while they are in your child’s body and wear off later in the day. They do not build up in the body.
Possible side effects
Most side effects are mild and can improve with time or changing the dose.
Common side effects of stimulant medicines include:
- reduced appetite
- mild tummy discomfort
- mild headache
- difficulty getting to sleep
Starting with a low dose can reduce side effects.
Some tamariki may become more sad, withdrawn or unusually quiet. If this happens, talk to your health professional. Your child may need a dose change or a different medicine.
Serious side effects are uncommon.
Stop the medicine and get urgent medical help if your child has chest pain, fainting, severe dizziness, or a racing or irregular heartbeat.
What checks your child will need before starting medicine
Before starting medicine, your child will need a check for any health conditions. Stimulant medicines may not be suitable for tamariki who have:
- some heart conditions
- very high blood pressure
- some mental health conditions
Your health professional may ask about:
- heart problems in your child or whānau (family)
- fainting episodes
- tics or Tourette syndrome
- seizures
Stimulant medicines can slightly increase heart rate and blood pressure. They can also reduce appetite, which may affect growth in some tamariki. This is why regular monitoring is important.
Very rarely, stimulant medicine can worsen mood or cause new mental health symptoms. If you notice changes in your child’s mood, behaviour or thinking, see a health professional.
When prescribed and monitored properly, stimulant medicines are considered safe.
How to take ADHD medicine
ADHD medicine usually comes as a tablet or capsule.
When to give it
Tamariki usually take stimulant medicine in the morning. Health professionals often recommend that tamariki take their medicine after a large breakfast.
Your child may need to take short-acting medicines 2 or 3 times during the day.
Tamariki taking longer-acting medicines will usually take these once a day.
Your child’s health professional will tell you the best time to give the medicine. Try to give it at the same time each day.
Many tamariki only have their ADHD medicine on school days. Talk to your specialist about whether your child should take it every day or just on school days.
How to give it
Tablets
- swallow tablets with a glass of water or milk
- don’t chew the tablet
Check with your pharmacist before crushing any tablets. Some long-acting tablets have a special coating. Tamariki need to swallow them whole so they work properly.
Capsules
- swallow capsules with a glass of water or milk
- don’t chew the capsule
Some tamariki struggle to swallow capsules. You can open some capsules and sprinkle the contents onto a small amount of soft food such as yoghurt. Check with your pharmacist first. Make sure your child swallows it straight away without chewing.
How long does it take to work
Stimulant medicines usually start working within 30 to 60 minutes.
Short-acting medicines work for a few hours. Longer-acting medicines can work for most of the school day.
Storage and safety
Keep ADHD medicine in a safe place out of reach of tamariki. Do not share it with anyone else.
If your child takes more than the prescribed dose call the National Poisons Centre on 0800 764 766 straight away.
How ADHD medicine is monitored
It can take time to find the right medicine and dose for your child. Regular follow-up appointments are important. Your child's health professional will want to check the medicine is working. They will also check that it suits your child.
During a follow-up appointment, your health professional may:
- check your child's height and weight - usually every 6 months
- monitor your child's blood pressure and heart rate
- ask about appetite, sleep and mood
- review how symptoms are improving, including how things are at school
The first prescription for medicine will come from your specialist health professional. After that, your child’s GP practice will continue to monitor your child and give ongoing prescriptions.
Monitoring helps make sure the medicine is working safely and effectively.
Will ADHD medicine change my child’s personality?
ADHD medicine should not change who your child is.
If your child seems flat, withdrawn or different from usual, see a health professional.
Stimulant medicines used for ADHD-Aroreretini are not addictive when prescribed correctly and monitored.
There are a lot of myths around ADHD medicine. If you have any questions, talk to your health professional.
Stopping ADHD medicine
Never stop ADHD medicine suddenly without talking to your child’s health professional.
Some tamariki take medicine for several years. Others may not need it as they get older.
Your child’s health professional can guide you on when to reduce or stop the medicine.
