Psychopharmacology of ADHD: children and adolescents.
Medications can provide significant salutary effects for children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Due to their well-established safety and efficacy, psychostimulants are generally considered first-line pharmacotherapy for most young patients with ADHD. Since psychostimulant treatment often requires frequent dosing and may be associated with unacceptable side effects and risks, other classes of medication have been studied as possible treatment alternatives. The most extensively researched nonstimulant medications are the tricyclic antidepressants. In addition, alpha2 agonists have also been shown to reduce symptoms of ADHD. However, concerns regarding potential cardiotoxicity have tempered the enthusiasm for both of these classes of medication. Newer antidepressants such as bupropion and venlafaxine may hold promise as treatments for ADHD.
Findling
R L
RL
Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Dogin
J W
JW
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016642:Bupropion / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010389:Pemoline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D000662:Amphetamines; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D016642:Bupropion; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D003913:Dextroamphetamine; D005473:Fluoxetine; D008774:Methylphenidate; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D010389:Pemoline; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; C090411:Adderall