Non-Stimulant Treatment for ADHD: Uses of Atomoxetine

Considerations in Treatment

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, continues to be a leading cause for poor academic performance among children in the United States. With a variety of prescription medications on the market today, parents often struggle to choose the medication that is right for their child's specific ADHD needs. In many cases, varying medications are utilized until the right fit is made.

If you are the parent of a child who has been diagnosed with ADHD, it is important to understand how your child's condition can be effectively managed so as to allow for an opportunity to progress through therapy. Because ADHD children require therapy with medication, to achieve optimal results, the right medication may determine how successful therapy and daily living can be. When considering the medication options, you may first want to try the use of non-stimulant prescription medications designed for ADHD treatment.

Non-stimulant medication to treat ADHD is most often considered as a first line of treatment. Because there are adverse health complications associated with the use of stimulant medications, the use of non-stimulants are often considered by parents as the initial treatment choice. The focus of these medications is in the balance of dopamine and norepinephrine. Once these are in balance, your child's lack of inhibition and regulate the degree to which arousal occurs in response to external stimuli. While stimulants are effective, it has been found that nearly 30 percent of stimulants are not effective in ADHD children, resulting in the need to consider other medication options. As a result, non-stimulants may be a form of treatment you want to consider first.