Learn about ADHD treatment options
ADHD affects everyone differently. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. In fact, it may take a few tries before a suitable treatment plan is found for you, your child, or your loved one. Work with your healthcare professional to find one that works for you.
Treatment programs may include:
Behavioural therapy
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Behavioural therapy can provide a better understanding of ADHD and how it affects your/your child’s daily life. Therapists help ADHD patients learn how to replace behaviours that don’t work or cause problems, and help develop strategies that can make it easier to finish tasks and get more organized, efficient, and productive. Behavioural therapy can also include parent training to help adults care for children with ADHD.
Parent training
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Adults caring for children with ADHD are shown how to deal with ADHD behaviours. This includes tips on establishing daily routines for the child, as well as how to use both reward systems and proactive disciplinary methods.
Social skills training
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People with ADHD can learn ways to help them relate to other people and improve their interaction with others. In a typical social skills training group, the therapist targets specific social behaviours, provides verbal instructions and demonstrations of the target behaviour, and coaches the participants to role-play the target behaviours with one another.
Education
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Programs and information for patients and their families can help them learn about, and better understand, ADHD. Tutoring and special education programs are available, such as the community program SNAP®. Check out the list of Additional Resources for a list of websites that can offer more information on ADHD. Remember! ADHD is an ongoing condition, and a long-term plan to deal with ADHD is usually needed.
Medication
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Medication may be used as part of a total treatment program for ADHD. It may help patients focus and ignore distractions and improve concentration and impulse control. Although medication does not cure ADHD, it can help manage ADHD symptoms.
Medications can come in different forms and can work for different amounts of time. Some ADHD medications are short-acting and work for shorter time periods during the day, while others are long-acting, meaning they can last during the day and into the evening.
ADHD pharmacological treatments in Canada:
Short-acting
Ritalin®*
- Comes in tablets to be taken by mouth
- Available in 2 tablet strengths
Methylphenidate short-acting tablet (generic)
- Comes in tablets to be taken by mouth
- Available in 3 tablet strengths
Long-acting
FOQUEST®
- Capsules must be swallowed whole and never crushed or chewed
- For patients unable to swallow the capsule, the capsule may be opened
and the entire contents may be sprinkled onto a tablespoon of applesauce,
ice cream or yogurt - Available in 7 capsule strengths
Biphentin®
- Capsules must be swallowed whole with water or other liquids and never
crushed or chewed - For patients unable to swallow the capsule, the capsule may be opened and
their entire contents may be sprinkled onto a tablespoon of apple sauce, ice
cream or yogurt; do not sprinkle on liquids - Available in 8 capsule strengths
Concerta®*
- Do not chew, crush, or divide the tablets. Swallow Concerta® tablets whole
with water or other liquids, such as milk or juices - Available in 4 tablet strengths
Ritalin® SR*
- Tablets must be swallowed whole and never crushed or chewed
- Available in 1 tablet strength
Methylphenidate long-acting 20 mg tablet (generic)
- Tablets must be swallowed whole and never crushed or chewed
- Available in 1 tablet strength
Short-acting
Dexedrine®*
- Available in 1 tablet strength
Dexedrine® Spansule*
- Available in 2 tablet strengths
Long-acting
Adderall XR®*
- Do not crush or chew the capsule or the beads before swallowing
- Capsule contents can be swallowed whole with water
- Capsules may be opened and all the beads inside sprinkled on applesauce
and taken immediately; do not store for later use - Available in 6 capsule strengths
Vyvanse®
- Capsules may be swallowed whole with water
- Capsules may be opened and the entire contents mixed with yogurt,
water or orange juice; any compacted powder should be completely
broken apart with a spoon - The entire yogurt or all water or orange juice must be consumed
immediately and not stored for future use - Available in 7 capsule strengths
- Also available in chewable tablets
- Chewable tablets must be chewed thoroughly before swallowing
- A single chewable tablet should not be divided
Long-acting
Strattera®*
- Capsules must be swallowed whole
- Available in 7 capsule strengths
Long-acting
Intuniv XR®
- Tablet must be swallowed whole with a small amount of liquid
- Tablet should not be crushed, chewed, broken or divided prior to swallowing
and do not take with a high-fat meal - Available in 4 tablet strengths
* Generic option available.
Adapted from respective product monographs.
As with all medication: ADHD medication is associated with some side effects.
Potential side effects
of ADHD stimulant
medication include:
- Appetite suppression
- Decrease in weight
- Initial insomnia
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Rebound effect
- Nausea/vomiting
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Tics
- Blood pressure and heart rate increase
- Constipation/diarrhea
- Behavioural changes
- Dysphoria/irritability
- Skin reactions
- Nervousness
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
Potential side effects
of non-stimulant ADHD
medication include:
- Appetite suppression
- Decrease in weight
- Initial insomnia
- Somnolence
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Nausea/vomiting
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Blood pressure and heart rate increase
- Blood pressure and heart rate decrease
- Constipation/diarrhea
- Sexual dysfunction
- Dysphoria/irritability
- Skin reactions
- Tiredness
Stimulants have the potential to be abused, leading to dependence or tolerance (the need for higher doses to have the same effect).