While the stimulating effects of many ADHD medications normally suppress appetite and may initially cause weight loss in children and adolescents, these drugs are also linked to the possibility of significant weight gain later in life.
Sometimes the medicines most often used to treat ADHD can cause weight loss. Stimulant drugs like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) make you less hungry and make your body burn calories faster than usual. Some of them are even used to help people lose weight or treat binge eating.
Several studies have shown that those with ADHD are prone to obesity and find it hard to lose weight. This is not surprising. Adults with ADHD aren't always aware of their food intake. Many eat while doing another activity — watching television, say, or even driving — so they lose track of the calories they consume.
Stimulant drugs like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) decrease your appetite and increase your metabolism, causing you to eat less and burn calories quicker than usual.
“Clearly, that is not the case.” It could be that kids with the worst ADHD symptoms end up on medication earlier or for longer, and when they go off the medication their ADHD symptoms return and lead to obesity-inducing behaviors, like overeating, he said.
The initial dose of dexamphetamine was 5 mg at breakfast and lunchtime, followed by weekly incremental dose increases of 5 mg twice daily, to a maximum of 30 mg twice daily.
What Are the Side Effects of Nonstimulants? Atomoxetine might cause: Upset stomach. Less appetite, which may cause weight loss.
That's because stimulant medications also work on the part of the brain that controls hunger. “I'm just not hungry at mealtime,” Ben explains. “It's like taking a diet pill and then sitting down at the table to eat,” says Dr. Larry Silver, Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School.
Loss of appetite is among the most common side effects of stimulant for ADHD. Across studies, approximately 20% of patients with ADHD who were treated with stimulants reported a loss of appetite [1,2]. Weight loss is also quite common, as are digestive problems [3].
More overweight and obese subjects were found in the ADHD-sample. Impulsive behavior in ADHD-boys with hyperactivity may lead to an increased food intake, which is then likely to overcompensate the heightened energy expenditure.
Biological and genetic factors can also predispose people with ADHD to become obese. Serotonin and dopamine are two of several neurotransmitters in the brain that are implicated in ADHD. Both serotonin and dopamine levels rise when we eat high-carbohydrate and high-sugar food.
Overall, we found that the stability, duration, and complexity of cyclical processes were reduced in ADHD cases compared to controls. These findings jointly suggest that the metabolism of essential and toxic elements is affected in ADHD.
Sometimes, a non-stimulant medication, such as imipramine (Tofranil), might be tried to see if it decreases the ADHD behaviors without impacting appetite.
Try to feed your child larger meals in the morning (before the ADHD medications begin to work), in the late afternoon or early evening (when the medications begin to wear off), and in the late evening before bed.
When the dosage is too high, stimulants can cause children or even adults to seem “spacey” or “zombie-like,” or to be uncharacteristically tearful or irritable (a condition known as emotional lability). In general, the best way to rein in these side effects is simply to lower the dosage.
While the stimulating effects of many ADHD medications normally suppress appetite and may initially cause weight loss in children and adolescents, these drugs are also linked to the possibility of significant weight gain later in life.
ADHD Medication Summary
Concerta and Ritalin share the same active ingredient. However, Ritalin is a short-acting stimulant that boosts focus and attention quickly. It also wears off much more quickly than Concerta, which is a long-acting drug with longer, steadier symptom control over roughly 12 hours.
Answer: Using caffeine, either in a drink or in an over-the-counter preparation, is not recommended by medical experts as a treatment for ADHD. Although some studies have shown that caffeine may improve concentration in adults with ADHD, it is not as effective as medication.
The nonstimulants atomoxetine, guanfacine, and bupropion are considered best choices for individuals in substance abuse treatment programs. Nonstimulants are also a desirable choice for people who have had adverse effects on stimulant medications.
Certain attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications can help treat a person's co-occurring anxiety, while others may worsen it. ADHD and anxiety disorders are different conditions with distinct symptoms and presentations. The two conditions may exist together.
Since Dexedrine is more stimulating than Ritalin, it's often used when Ritalin has been proven ineffective. Registered as a Schedule II drug according to the Controlled Substances Act, while Dexedrine has a recognized medical use, it also comes with a high risk of both abuse and addiction.
Dexedrine and Ritalin are both prescription-only medications that are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as narcolepsy. Dexedrine is comprised of dextroamphetamine, whereas Ritalin is comprised of methylphenidate.