Antidepressant Medications
When stimulant medications do not work or when your child is experiencing depression or anxiety in addition to ADHD, your doctor may prescribe other medications. Antidepressants are not approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for treating ADHD, but some doctors have found them useful. Stimulant medications and antidepressant medications can be taken at the same time. Like stimulants, antidepressants are believed to work on brain chemicals. But with antidepressants, the most dramatic improvement is usually in mood. In general, the children will be happier—less irritable, angry, anxious, or worried.

Children who are treated with antidepressants usually experience mild improvements in attention, impulse control, restlessness, and hyperactivity as well. Unlike stimulants, which are washed out of the body within a few hours, antidepressants must build up in the bloodstream over longer periods of time to work. Children usually take one pill in the morning and one in the evening, and their effectiveness lasts throughout the day. Your doctor will explain more to you about antidepressants and how they are used.

Other Medications
When children have other conditions besides ADHD and/or mood disorders, doctors may prescribe other medications. Like antidepressants, these medications are not approved by the FDA for treating ADHD, but some doctors have found them useful. Stimulant medications are usually more effective, but this drug may be prescribed when stimulants do not work or cannot be used.

It is important to know about the possible side effects, risks, benefits, and drug interactions of each medication. Talk to your child's doctor for more information.

Stimulant Medication—Schedule II Controlled Substance
Schedule II stimulants have special restrictions on them because people may abuse them and eventually become dependent on them. By law, you must see your doctor to get a new prescription for these medications every time they need to be refilled. Generally, stimulants should not be given to people with a history of drug dependence or alcoholism and should only be taken by the person for whom they are prescribed.