Drugs for treating ADHD in children

Commonly used drugs for treating ADHD in children include central nervous system stimulants (such as methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine), non-central nervous system stimulants (such as atomoxetine), and certain auxiliary drugs (such as some antidepressants and drugs that can play a mood regulating role). These drugs help improve inattention, impulsive behavior and hyperactivity symptoms by regulating the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Methylphenidate (trade names such as Ritalin or Focus) is widely used to treat children with ADHD. Methylphenidate can increase the concentration of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, thereby improving the attention of children. Dextroamphetamine (trade names such as Anfeta) has a similar mode of action and is also one of the classic drugs for treating this disease. Common side effects after taking both include loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping or mild headaches, and the dosage needs to be adjusted according to the doctor's guidance. For children who are not suitable for central nervous system stimulants, atomoxetine is an effective non-central nervous system stimulant drug. As a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, its main advantage is that the drug effect lasts longer and the risk of addiction is lower, which is suitable for some special children. For children with comorbid mood disorders or depressive tendencies, antidepressants such as sertraline may also be used in combination. These drugs indirectly alleviate symptoms by stabilizing emotions, but they need to be carefully regulated.

Methylphenidate (trade names such as Ritalin or Focus) is widely used to treat children with ADHD. Methylphenidate can increase the concentration of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, thereby improving the attention of children. Dextroamphetamine (trade names such as Anfeta) has a similar mode of action and is also one of the classic drugs for treating this disease. Common side effects after taking both include loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping or mild headaches, and the dosage needs to be adjusted according to the doctor's guidance. For children who are not suitable for central nervous system stimulants, atomoxetine is an effective non-central nervous system stimulant drug. As a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, its main advantage is that the drug effect lasts longer and the risk of addiction is lower, which is suitable for some special children. For children with comorbid mood disorders or depressive tendencies, antidepressants such as sertraline may also be used in combination. These drugs indirectly alleviate symptoms by stabilizing emotions, but they need to be carefully regulated.

When using medication to treat ADHD in children, parents need to pay close attention to their children's physical changes and communicate with doctors regularly to ensure that the best treatment plan is adjusted. Medication usually needs to be combined with behavioral therapy and family education to achieve the best results. Parents should provide their children with a regular daily routine, avoid consuming too much sugary foods, and strengthen positive guidance to help children learn time management and behavioral self-control, so as to improve their quality of life in an all-round way. If you find that the side effects of the medication are obvious, you should communicate with your doctor as soon as possible to change the medication or adjust the treatment plan in time.