What should you know about stimulants for ADHD?

Stimulant medicines affect brain signalling involved in attention, activity and impulse control. A prescriber usually considers the ADHD assessment, age, sleep, appetite, heart health, mood, other medicines and any history of substance misuse before choosing a medicine. The dose and timing are adjusted according to benefit and unwanted effects. Some people notice better task focus; others may experience reduced appetite, trouble sleeping, headache, irritability or feeling anxious. These effects can have other causes, so report changes rather than stopping or changing treatment without advice.

Take the medicine exactly as prescribed and keep it secured. Do not share tablets, take extra doses for a difficult day, or combine it with non-prescribed stimulants. Keep appointments so the clinician can review attention, school or work function, sleep, appetite, mood, blood pressure and pulse when appropriate. Take note of when benefits begin and fade, along with any side effects. A Mental Health Assessment may clarify whether ADHD, anxiety, sleep problems or another issue is affecting concentration. Behavioural strategies, structure and coaching can complement medicine.

Contact the prescriber promptly for troubling mood changes, severe anxiety, persistent insomnia, marked irritability, appetite problems, or a noticeable change in behaviour. Seek urgent help for chest pain, fainting, severe breathlessness, a fast or irregular heartbeat with feeling unwell, hallucinations, or thoughts of self-harm. Do not abruptly alter a prescribed plan without medical guidance unless emergency clinicians tell you to do so.

Ask: What benefit should we monitor? When should I take each dose? Which side effects need a call? How might this interact with my medicines, caffeine or sleep pattern? What non-medicine support would suit me?