Treatment options
Setting goals that keep life on track for you
Aiming for consistent control of ADHD symptoms
Experts now agree that managing ADHD effectively means supporting focus, regulation, and routine throughout the entire day, including busy mornings and evenings at home. From getting out the door to winding down for bed, personalized treatment plans can help you or your child stay on track during the moments that matter most.
Take the quiz and talk to your healthcare provider about options that support your full-day routine.
ADHD is being managed
Learn about ADHD
treatment options
ADHD affects everyone differently. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. In fact, it may take a few tries before a suitable treatment plan is found. Work with your healthcare professional to find one that works best.
Treatment plans may include:
Behavioural therapy
Therapists help ADHD patients learn how to replace behaviours that don’t work or cause problems and help develop strategies that can make it easier to finish tasks and get more organized, efficient, and productive.
Parent training
Adults caring for children with ADHD are shown how to deal with ADHD behaviours. This includes tips on establishing daily routines for the child, as well as how to use both reward systems and proactive disciplinary methods.
Social skills training
People with ADHD can learn ways to help them relate to other people and improve their interactions with others. In a typical social skills training group, the therapist targets specific social behaviours, provides verbal instructions and demonstrations of the target behaviour, and coaches participants to role-play the target behaviours with one another.
Education
Programs and information for patients and their families can help them learn about, and better understand, ADHD. Tutoring and special education programs are available, such as the community program SNAP®. Check out additional resources for a list of websites that can offer more information on ADHD.
Remember! ADHD is an ongoing condition and a long-term plan to deal with ADHD is usually needed.
ADHD Medication
Medication may be used as part of a total treatment plan for ADHD. It may help with focus and distractions, while improving concentration and impulse control. Although medication does not cure ADHD, it can help manage ADHD symptoms.
Medications can come in different forms and can work for different amounts of time. Some ADHD medications are short-acting and work for shorter time periods during the day, while others are long-acting, meaning they can last during the day and into the evening.
ADHD medications in Canada
These products may not be suitable for everyone and may cause side effects. Be sure to talk to your doctor about what may work best for you.
Short Acting
-
Ritalin®*
- Comes in tablets to be taken by mouth
- Available in 2 tablet strengths
-
Methylphenidate short-acting tablet (generic)
- Comes in tablets to be taken by mouth
- Available in 3 tablet strengths
Long Acting
-
Foquest®
- Capsules must be swallowed whole and never crushed or chewed
- For patients unable to swallow the capsule, the capsule may be opened and their entire contents may be sprinkled onto a tablespoon of apple sauce, ice cream, or yogurt; do not sprinkle on liquids
- Available in 7 capsule strengths
-
Biphentin®
- Capsules must be swallowed whole and never crushed or chewed
- For patients unable to swallow the capsule, the capsule may be opened and their entire contents may be sprinkled onto a tablespoon of apple sauce, ice cream, or yogurt; do not sprinkle on liquids
- Available in 8 capsule strengths
-
Concerta®
- Do not crush, chew, or divide the tablets. Swallow Concerta® tablets whole with water or other liquids, such as milk or juice
- Available in 4 tablet strengths
-
Quillivant® ER
- Chewable tablets must be chewed
- For oral suspension, shake vigorously for at least 10 seconds before each dose and take once daily in the morning, with or without food
- Available in an extended-release suspension bottle; chewable tablets available in 3 strengths
-
Ritalin® SR*
- Tablets must be swallowed whole and never crushed or chewed
- Available in 1 tablet strength
-
Methylphenidate SR long-acting 20 mg tablet (generic)
- Tablets must be swallowed whole and never crushed or chewed
- Available in 1 tablet strength
*Generic option available.
Short Acting
-
Dexedrine®*
- Available in 1 tablet strength
-
Dexedrine® Spansule*
- Available in 2 capsule strengths
Long Acting
-
Adderall XR®
- Do not crush or chew the capsule or the beads before swallowing
- Capsule contents can be swallowed whole with water or milk
- Capsules may be opened and all the beads inside sprinkled on applesauce and taken immediately; do not store for later use
- Available in 6 capsule strengths
-
Vyvanse®
- Capsules may be swallowed whole with water
- Capsules may be opened and the entire contents mixed with yogurt, water, or orange juice; any compacted powder should be completely broken apart with a spoon
- The entire yogurt or all water or orange juice must be consumed immediately and not stored for future use
- Available in 7 capsule strengths
- Also available in chewable tablets
- Chewable tablets must be chewed thoroughly before swallowing
- A single chewable tablet should not be divided
*Generic option available.
Long Acting
-
Strattera®*
- Capsules must be swallowed whole
- Available in 7 capsule strengths
*Generic option available.
Long Acting
-
Intuniv XR®
- Tablet must be swallowed whole with a small amount of liquid
- Tablet should not be crushed, chewed, broken, or divided prior to swallowing and do not take with a high-fat meal
- Available in 4 tablet strengths
Adapted from respective Product Monographs.
As with all medication, ADHD medication is associated with some side effects.
Potential side effects of ADHD stimulant medication include:
- Appetite suppression
- Decrease in weight
- Initial insomnia
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Rebound effect
- Nausea/vomiting
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Tics
- Blood pressure and heart rate increase
- Constipation/diarrhea
- Dysphoria/irritability
- Skin reactions
Potential side effects of non-stimulant ADHD medication include:
- Appetite suppression
- Decrease in weight
- Initial insomnia
- Somnolence
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Nausea/vomiting
- Upset stomach
- Anxiety
- Blood pressure and heart rate increase
- Blood pressure and heart rate decrease
- Constipation/diarrhea
- Sexual dysfunction
- Dysphoria/irritability
- Skin reactions
Stimulants have the potential to be abused, leading to dependence or tolerance (the need for higher doses to have the same effect).