ADHD Medication: A Review of all Types & Side-Effects (2021 Edition)

ADHD Medication Types can be segmented into stimulants and non-stimulants, whereby stimulants comprise of the following list: Adderal, Vyanese, Dexedrine, Concerta, Ritalin, Focalin, Quilivant (Liquid) and Evekeo. The only non-stimulant approved by the FDA is Strattera. Seeing as there are so many different kinds of medication out there, this video provides you with an overview of all the different types and their side effects for people with Adult ADHD to hopefully help you answer the question which one you should take. User Reviews from people who have taken the different types of medication are also presented.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (#ADHD) affects our ability to concentrate and organize our lives. Medication combined with CBT and parental coaching can help those with ADHD.

#ADHD #ADHDMedication

DISCLAIMER: Please note that I am not a licensed therapist/psychologist and that I derive all of my recommendations from my own experiences with ADHD and/or publically available information. If you have ADHD please always consult with a therapist and/or doctor first.

New, free educational Videos every second tuesday.

If you like what I do on this channel, why don't you consider subscribing ;).
My Socials:

[cezanneinsley]

60mg Vyvanse it has changed my life. Also be careful mentioning that these medications are addictive; in my understanding, addictive traits for ADHD are significantly reduced when on stimulants. This is because the medication directly treats the dopamine receptors and can minimize cravings. For example, since starting ADHD medication 5 years ago I have quit smoking cigarettes, rarely drink alcohol, and cut back my caffeine intake from several cups a day to one. Just food for thought since stimulants are highly stigmatized and can scare off many ADHD folks that would actually see massive benefits.

[saharamccord]

I was diagnosed with ADHD at 14 years old but my mom lied to me about it most of my life because she “doesn’t believe in mental health issues”. Now, 10 years later at age 24, I just found out that I’ve had ADHD this whole time and never knew. I’ve always wondered what’s “wrong” with me. Now I know. I fought hard to find these medical records. I finally have my first appointment to talk about getting on meds next week! I finally feel like I can begin living my life. I’m excited to find the right med for me.

[adhdvision]

Please excuse my mistake guys. Its Vyvanse not Vyanese! :D

[nicolesliva]

I was diagnosed with
I was diagnosed with ADHD in my late teens/early 20s. I was originally prescribed ritilan, and then concerta. I crashed so horribly with a headache a nausea. It was so intolerable that I found a new doctor. I was prescribed adderall and my life has been so much better. Never give up advocating for yourself. I can't believe I tolerated ritilan and the horrible headaches for almost 6 months

[ChrisG-bczt]

I knew the majority of the comments would be long paragraphs because we all like to rant! 🤣

[emilyb]

The video of the distressed women representing an addict as you refer to addiction risk Is pretty misleading and stigmatising. Untreated ADHD is strongly associated w dangerous addictions alcohol etc and incr early death risk. That needs to be balanced. Addiction also far more likely with people misusing rather than using therapeutically.

[TamikaGyo]

I've been using strattera 80mg for the past 4 years. It's definitely harder to see the differences initially compared to the other medications that start working immediately but I've completely stopped having anxiety attacks and over time I've gotten to a place where it's almost never an issue to just sit down and focus on what needs to be done

[karlieballpowers]

Be careful of straterra, my 8 year old suffered for two months of not being able to urinate, we took her to urologist and everyone thought we were crazy. The best way to explain what was happening was she couldn’t relax her muscles to be able to release the urine. It was more of a mental problem. We looked at side effects of all her meds and strattera was difficulty urinating, we stopped the medicine that day and by the next day she was able to pee again.

[blackbuckreal]

Addiction and dependence are completely different from each other! People who choose to remain Uneducated about those differences are only worsening the misinformation & stigma. You should do an updated version of this.

[jonathanberry]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

00:28 🧠 *Types of ADHD Medication: Stimulants and Non-Stimulants*
- ADHD medications can be categorized into two primary types: stimulants and non-stimulants.
- Stimulants are the first-line treatment for ADHD, boosting brain chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine to improve focus and decrease impulsivity.
- Non-stimulant medications, like Straterra, offer alternatives for those who don't tolerate or benefit from stimulants.
01:49 💊 *Adderall and its Effects*
- Adderall is a widely recognized stimulant medication for ADHD treatment, with effects lasting between 4 to 12 hours depending on the type.
- Reviews from users indicate varying experiences with Adderall, from increased concentration to heightened anxiety.
- The popularity and longevity of Adderall in the ADHD treatment landscape highlight its efficacy for a significant portion of users.
02:47 🚀 *Other Stimulant Medications: Dexedrine and Evekeo*
- Dexedrine and Evekeo are two other prominent stimulant medications, both being amphetamines similar to Adderall.
- Users' feedback on Dexedrine and Evekeo highlights individualized experiences, with some noticing improvements in focus while others mention side effects like slowed growth and changes in eyesight.
- These medications offer alternative options for ADHD treatment, but it's essential to consider individual responses and potential side effects.
03:42 🕰️ *Long-lasting Stimulant: Vyvanse*
- Vyvanse stands out as a longer-lasting stimulant medication, with effects lasting up to 10 to 14 hours.
- Users have shared experiences with Vyvanse, noting its effectiveness in managing ADHD symptoms but also mentioning challenges like altered behavior patterns and sleep disturbances.
- The extended duration of Vyvanse provides a treatment option for those seeking longer coverage throughout their day.
07:22 ⛔ *Non-Stimulant Option: Straterra*
- Straterra is the only FDA-approved non-stimulant medication for ADHD treatment, targeting neurotransmitters without activating the brain's reward system.
- Users' feedback indicates both positive effects, such as reduced anxiety and impulsivity, and negative side effects like altered taste perception and decreased appetite.
- Straterra offers an alternative for those seeking non-stimulant ADHD treatment, but it's crucial to be aware of potential side effects and individual responses.

Made with HARPA AI

[elizabethgambill]

I was diagnosed with ADD (before it was generalized with ADHD) when I was in 3rd grade. My ADHD experience has been wild, especially since I didn’t know I had ADHD until my parents got me diagnosed. I started taking meds immediately, and I went from almost being held back and always getting in trouble because I would do impulsive things to getting decent grade (not even stellar, I grew to the advanced classes but I was like a solid B-C student so it’s not like it made me a genius)

I have been on concerta, stratera, vyvanse, and adderall at various stages.

First I will say: I have experienced depression and anxiety for almost my entire life. I believe part of it was due to having a narcissist as a father (who was also in the military) and I wasn’t able to keep up with his expectations due to my ADHD, which increases my rejection sensitivity dysphoria.

He did pass away when I was in 8th grade, but the depression persisted and I kept a experimenting with medication (with a doctor of course) and eventually found that vyvanse has worked best for me

Now the issue with vyvanse is that as soon as I turned 21, I was no longer a full time student and lost my military medical insurance and my Rx went from $40/month to $400/month and I was not able to stay on it. So I quit cold turkey because I had to and stayed off medications for a couple years. (Vyvanse is still in the patent phase and will not be available for generic until I think April of 2023)

I went through a ROUGH time being an unmedicated young adult with ADHD. I was extremely impulsive which helped me do things I am so thankful for but I also made a LOT of bad decisions. Around 23-24 I decided to get back on medication since I had insurance again and it’s been a trial and error experience since I don’t remember how some of the meds affected me when I was a child. Adderall works really well for me, but only if I have multiple things to do. If I’m just working a 40 hour/week job and no hobbies or other activities requiring my attention, I get extremely anxious and I hated it. So I tried concerta which worked really well at first since I am 26 going to real college (not trade school) for the first time. but after a while I was feeling hazy and started to get physical side affects like limb numbness and blurry vision. So we switched back to adderall, and it has been working really well since I have 4 classes and a part time job to split my attention with.

I would like to one day not be on medication, but I may not have that option right now. When I do get older I would like to try to either taper off or just take a small dose as I learn new skills to manage my adhd. Some of these skills have included meditating, eating better (which I am TERRIBLE at due to the lack of appetite), exercising, and taking vitamins. I hate how cliche it sounds but it’s honestly true that those things WILL help.

[andrewrossroberts]

I love listening to this channel. The narrator speaks so fast and it’s so easy to understand (compared to a slow speaker)

[TheAshlwat]

I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD for approximately 8 years. I’ve taken Adderall for the last 8 years and I noticed increased irritability and anxiety when I turned 40. I am taking Ritalin and will have an update after 30 days. I am super thankful for this channel because the comments make me feel “normal.” Thanks for listening (reading)😊

[KimberlyJose-sisv]

I was severely traumatized 35 years ago as a teenage, got diagnosed with ADHD. Spent my whole life fighting ADHD. Also suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my husband recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

[JC_dk]

I have just recently been diagnosed with ADHD and am now taking 40 Mg. a generic brand of Concerta in the morning and 10 Mg. Ritalin in the afternoon, and it has helped me a LOT.

[heathennation]

I was diagnosed at a pretty young age and sadly i never really got the treatment I should have. Realizing now how much I self sabotaged my life.

[kingdavid]

I was diagnosed at 4 years old. I started taking Vyvanse for ADHD in February of 2020. It was the first time I had taken any meds for ADHD. I felt like a whole new person and I could focus so much better with it. It did, though, cause me to focus more than my mind could take, causing my mind to work faster than my body, but that wasn’t too much of a problem after I lowered my dosage. I stopped taking Vyvanse because of the mood changing side-effects, for they were BAD bad. I just started taking Adderall less than a week ago, and it does really help me focus a lot better. come down (rebound) makes me feel depressed, empty on the inside, discharged from reality, and sometimes even mad. I don’t know what to do, y’all. PLEASE HELP.

[robertgarvansnyder]

I’ve tried almost all these meds, and after the honeymoon period dust has settled, Dexedrine is the one for me, no question. Ive been on 20mg of Dexedrine ER for over a year. I like to say that it’s everything I want a stimulant to be (focus, task switching, time management improvements) with nothing I don’t want (insomnia, impatience, etc). Only major downside is higher blood pressure, which is already an issue for me. I do also take a blood pressure medication to balance that out.

[JohnGeorge-pwxo]

I was diagnosed with ADHD 18 years ago as a teenage. Spent my whole life fighting ADHD. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my mom recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

[marisawojcikiewicz]

I haven’t been given a different prescription yet as I was just recently diagnosed with ADHD, but I’ve been taking Wellbutrin XR 300mg for years for what I thought was depression (but turned out to be motivation, attention, and initiation issues from ADHD-inattentive) and it helps a LOT. I know it’s off-label, but I would have loved to see that covered.