Medications to Treat ADHD in Children Children who have ADHD are
often given medication as part of their treatment plan. The type
of medication most often chosen is a psychostimulant, such as
methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate and Concerta).
Psychostimulant drugs help balance chemicals in the child's
brain that help to control behavior and focus attention. Other
psychostimulants prescribed for ADHD in children include
dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), a mixture of amphetamine salts
(Adderall), and atomoxetine (Strattera). Psychostimulants act
quickly—doing their job over the course of one to four hours—and
then are quickly flushed from the body. Newer psychostimulants
on the market are designed to be longer acting, continuing to
work for up to nine hours, so that they only need to be taken
once a day. Occasionally, nonstimulant medications may be used
to treat ADHD in children. These include the antidepressants
bupropion (Wellbutrin), desipramine (Norpramin), and imipramine
(Tofranil). Your health care provider