ADHD Medication Guide: Non-Stimulant Treatment Options

ADHD Medication Guide: Non-Stimulant Treatment Options

ADHD can be effectively managed with non-stimulant medications. These options provide symptom relief for Marylandans without the concerns associated with controlled substances. This guide explains your non-stimulant treatment options.

Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications

MarylandDoc prescribes non-stimulant medications that effectively manage ADHD symptoms:

Atomoxetine (Strattera)

The primary non-stimulant option for ADHD:

  • Mechanism: Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
  • Benefits: 24-hour coverage, no abuse potential
  • Timeline: 4-8 weeks for full effect
  • Dosing: Once or twice daily

Alpha-2 Agonists

Originally for blood pressure, now FDA-approved for ADHD:

  • Guanfacine ER (Intuniv): Once-daily, helps with impulsivity
  • Clonidine ER (Kapvay): Twice-daily, also helps with tics
Why Non-Stimulant? Non-stimulant medications offer effective ADHD treatment without scheduling restrictions, abuse potential, or stimulant side effects like appetite suppression and insomnia.

How These Medications Help

Non-stimulant ADHD medications improve:

  • Attention and focus: Sustained concentration on tasks
  • Impulse control: Better decision-making, less interrupting
  • Hyperactivity: Reduced restlessness and fidgeting
  • Working memory: Better retention of information
  • Emotional regulation: More stable mood responses

Comparing Non-Stimulant Options

Atomoxetine (Strattera)
  • Best for: Adults and children who can't take stimulants
  • Pros: 24-hour coverage, helps with anxiety
  • Cons: Takes weeks to work, may cause initial nausea

Guanfacine ER (Intuniv):

  • Best for: Hyperactivity and impulsivity
  • Pros: Once daily, calm focus, helps with sleep
  • Cons: May cause drowsiness, blood pressure effects

Clonidine ER (Kapvay):

  • Best for: ADHD with tics or aggression
  • Pros: Helps with sleep, reduces tics
  • Cons: Twice-daily dosing, sedation possible

Treatment Timeline

Atomoxetine:

  • Week 1-2: Gradual dose increase
  • Week 3-4: Some improvement begins
  • Week 6-8: Full therapeutic effect

Alpha-2 Agonists:

  • Week 1: Start low dose
  • Week 2-3: Gradual increases
  • Week 4-6: Optimal dose reached

Side Effect Management

Atomoxetine common side effects:

  • Upset stomach: Take with food
  • Decreased appetite: Usually temporary
  • Fatigue: May improve with evening dosing
  • Mood changes: Monitor and report

Alpha-2 agonist side effects:

  • Drowsiness: Usually improves over time
  • Low blood pressure: Monitor if symptomatic
  • Dry mouth: Stay hydrated

ADHD Treatment in Maryland

Maryland allows licensed physicians to prescribe non-controlled ADHD medications via telehealth. This provides convenient access to ongoing ADHD management for Marylandans.

MarylandDoc ADHD Care

Approach: Comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment

Monitoring: Regular follow-ups to optimize medication and address concerns

Get Expert Care at MarylandDoc
Medical Disclaimer: This is educational content only. All medical decisions should be made with licensed physicians. Individual results vary. Seek immediate care for emergencies.

Who this is for in Maryland

The patients this page is for live in Baltimore, the Washington suburbs, and the Eastern Shore.

This article is for those patients when they are deciding whether ADHD Medication Guide: Non-Stimulant Treatment Options fits a visit with MarylandDoc.

How the MarylandDoc visit applies

The MarylandDoc visit for this topic starts with a structured intake covering symptoms, medications, allergies, and prior treatment response. A Maryland-licensed physician (MD) reviews whether ADHD Medication Guide: Non-Stimulant Treatment Options is appropriate, whether labs are required, and whether another approach is safer. If a prescription is indicated, it is sent to a pharmacy the patient can use in Maryland. That prescription is not a referral to a District of Columbia or Northern Virginia clinic.

Local access

A patient in Baltimore, the Washington suburbs, and the Eastern Shore should compare ADHD Medication Guide: Non-Stimulant Treatment Options with care already available through Johns Hopkins Medicine or the University of Maryland Medical System, not with a District of Columbia or Northern Virginia clinic. Labs, when needed, can be drawn through a local partner in Maryland.