The popular stimulant drug Adderall®, which is used for ADHD, is in low supply nationwide. The supply has been affected by sporadic production problems that one major producer, Teva, has been coping with.1.
Have you experienced trouble obtaining prescription stimulants? Are you interested in trying something different to cure your adult ADHD? Perhaps you want to stay away from Adderall’s or other stimulants’ negative effects. ADHD drugs without stimulants can be a suitable option for you.
Types of Adult ADHD Medications
The two main categories of adult ADHD medication alternatives are stimulant and non-stimulant. It is crucial to discuss with your healthcare professional which options are best for your therapy, as each has pros and cons.
Stimulant ADHD Medications
People with ADHD sometimes struggle to focus their attention, although stimulant drugs can assist. The neurotransmitter dopamine is elevated in the brain by this family of drugs. In the body, dopamine is linked to movement, pleasure, and attention.In over 70% of adults, stimulant drugs have been demonstrated to alleviate symptoms of ADHD such as hyperactivity, impulsive conduct, and short attention span.3. If you are unable to take Adderall or would prefer not to, there are plenty of stimulant alternatives to think about.
Common Alternative Stimulant Medications
There are two types of stimulant drugs used to treat ADHD: methylphenidates and amphetamines. Depending on your demands, there are long-acting and short-acting variants of those two sorts.4 Amphetamine-containing medicine is Adderall.
Common substitute drugs for amphetamines:5. Evekeo® (amphetamine sulfate)
Zenzedi® and Dexedrine®, brands of dextroamphetamine
Velanse® (lisdexamfetamine)
Amphetamine (Dynavel XR®, Adenyz®)
Deoxyn® Methamphetamine
Typical methylphenidate drugs:
Methylphenidate (Quillivant XR®, Concerta®, Ritalin®)
Focalin® (dexmethylphenidate)
Side Effects of Stimulant ADHD Medications
There are certain adverse effects of stimulant drugs to be aware of, such as:Six
Headache
nausea or unsettled stomach
elevated blood pressure
appetite decline
Loss of weight
Anxiety
Lack of sleep
tics
Stimulant medication dependence is also a possibility if you have previously struggled with substance misuse. Before using stimulant medication for ADHD, discuss with your doctor any concerns you may have about reliance or abuse.7.
Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications
Many non-stimulant drugs have demonstrated potential in the management of ADHD symptoms. Medications that do not contain stimulants have fewer negative effects and a lower potential for addiction or dependence. Some patients with ADHD do not respond well to stimulants. Non-stimulant ADHD drugs may be a better option in these situations and others.
The majority of non-stimulant ADHD drugs function by raising brain levels of neurotransmitters that help relax the brain, such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.8
With a non-stimulant alternative, between 50–60% of users report reduced symptoms associated with ADHD.9. In order to determine which ADHD treatment option is best for you, you may need to collaborate with your healthcare physician to test a few different ones.
Common Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications
Guanfacine (Intuniv®) and Atomoxetine (Strattera®)
Kapvay® clonidine
Qelbree® (viloxazine)
Wellbutrin XL® (bupropion)
Side effects of Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications
If you find that the side effects of stimulant prescriptions bother you, you might want to consider trying a non-stimulant medication. However, non-stimulant drugs can still have adverse effects, such as:
Headache
lightheadedness
Tiredness or drowsiness
nausea or discomfort in the stomach
appetite decline