Health care providers may prescribe stimulant medications when treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy . Stimulants increase alertness, attention, and energy. They can also elevate blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing.
Prescription stimulants typically improve alertness and focus for most people, regardless of diagnosis. These medications can markedly improve daily functioning for people with significant focus problems, such as people with ADHD. Although motor hyperactivity associated with ADHD in children usually goes away by the time they reach adolescence, people with ADHD may continue to experience inattention and difficulty with focus into adulthood. As such, stimulant medications can be helpful for adults with ADHD, as well as for children and adolescents with ADHD.
Stimulant medications are safe when taken under a health care provider’s supervision and used as directed. Some children taking them may report feeling slightly different or “funny.” Most side effects of stimulant medications are minor and disappear at lower doses.
Some parents worry that stimulant medications may lead to misuse or dependence, but evidence shows this is unlikely when the medications are used as prescribed. Other challenges with stimulant treatment, such as sleep disturbance and slowed growth, can generally be safely managed in collaboration with the prescribing health care provider while continuing treatment.
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