Dexadrine: Parents Need to Know About These Detrimental Effects of ADHD Drugs on Children

You trust your physician to prescribe beneficial medications to treat your child’s ADHD. What your physician may not always tell are the effects of ADHD drugs on children.

While medications may provide positive benefits and relief of ADHD symptoms, they also have dangerous side effects. Parents armed with information regarding effects of ADHD drugs on children, make better choices for their child’s healthcare.

The most widely prescribed types of ADHD medication are stimulants or sometimes referred to as psychostimulants. Children with ADHD exhibit hyperactive behaviors, stimulants work to calm their central nervous system.

Calming the nervous system in turn, reduces hyperactivity, impulse behaviors, and allows greater concentration and focus. Common drug names of these psychostimulants are Ritalin, Attenta, and Concerta.

Although still considered stimulates, ADHD drugs Adderall, Dexadrine, and Desoxyn are amphetamine based. Originally used for weight loss, amphetamines are now used for other medical purposes including ADHD.

They work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. A note: amphetamines can become addictive and it has been suggested that early use for treatment of ADHD can lead to chemical and alcohol abuse later in life.

It cannot be argued these drugs provide relief of symptoms associated with ADHD; however, knowing harmful effects of ADHD drugs on children, can better prepare parents for potential problems.

Effects of ADHD drugs on children can be worrisome for parents. Be aware of the following side effects presented by the use of psychostimulants: restlessness, stomach upsets, dizziness, changes in mood, decreased appetite, feelings of sadness, headaches, and shakiness.

The following side effects pose more serious problems and could have long lasting repercussions: listlessness, dramatic changes in personality, withdrawing from family and friends, and symptoms of OCD.

Even more frightening, stimulants can cause increase in heart rates, high blood pressure, and stroke. Adderall is no longer available for sale in Canada after several children had strokes, and others died from heart attacks.

While understanding effects of ADHD drugs on children better prepares parents, awareness of other treatment choices has added benefits as well. If these potential side effects frighten you, consider researching holistic treatments such as homeopathic remedies. Homeopathic remedies have no side effects and will provide healthier long term benefits for your child. Not only that, but as an added bonus, they often cost considerably less than ADHD prescription medications.

Knowing the effects of ADHD drugs on children is essential information for all parents as they commit to making the right choices for treatment of their child’s ADHD symptoms.

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