Medications for adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

ADHD is recognized as a neurologic condition rather than just bad behavior. Medical treatment has been recognized as very helpful. Risks of untreated ADHD are substantial. Every life area is negatively affected including school performance, drug abuse and dependence risk, driving performance, sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy and family cohesiveness to mention some of them. Frequent misinformation in the popular media causes apprehension about medical treatment. Even after almost 60 years stimulants remain the mainstay in treatment of ADHD. Newer release systems have produced longer acting and smoother acting medication. Side effects have always been brief and mild however, newer forms cause fewer side effects than older preparations and cover symptoms for more of the waking hours of each day. Although studies in adolescents are less numerous than in children the literature standard supports the safety and efficacy of stimulants in adolescents. In addition there are non-stimulant medications that have shown efficacy in adolescents. There are now a greater number of medications and more effective medications than ever before. Clinical pearls in medication management are shared in practical terms so that these newer treatments can be used to help those affected with ADHD more effectively than ever before.