You may experience side effects from taking certain ADHD medications. These may include sleeping or eating disruptions, headaches, and mood changes.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurological disorder that can be diagnosed in children or in adults.

Medication is often the first method of treatment, including stimulants like Adderall and nonstimulants like Strattera.

While each medication may have ADHD-specific benefits, people taking these medications may also experience side effects.

What to know about ADHD medications

There are two main types of ADHD medications:

Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in your brain, improving your focus. These drugs include:

Nonstimulants are not prescribed as often for ADHD, but doctors may prescribe them if stimulants cause adverse side effects or aren’t effective. Certain nonstimulant drugs increase norepinephrine and other chemicals in the brain, helping with focus and attention.

Nonstimulant drugs can include:

Each person responds to medication differently, so you might need to try different medications to find the one that works best for you.

Medications always have the potential for side effects. Not everyone will experience the same side effects — or any at all. Some side effects go away, while others may not.

Talk with your doctor about the specific side effects of the prescribed medication, and let them know if you experience any.

Sleeping problems

ADHD medication can interfere with sleep, especially if the medication is still active at bedtime. If you take a short-acting medication, the second or third dose may be taken too late in the day and hasn’t worn off.

If you’re taking a long-acting medication, you might want to try one that’s shorter-acting.

Eating issues

Sometimes, stimulant medications can cause problems with eating. This may just look like someone not eating because they’re not hungry, but the stimulant is actively suppressing appetite.

Talk with your doctor about how to time your medication to avoid appetite suppression.

Tics

Sometimes stimulant medication may cause children to develop tics, or repetitive movements or sounds. If this happens, a different stimulant medication may be tried to see whether that relieves the tic.

If the tics remain, your doctor may prescribe a nonstimulant medication instead. These affect the brain differently and are less likely to cause tics.

Mood changes

If a stimulant dose is too high, it can cause irritability or tearfulness.

Changing the dosage may help. However, some people experience changes in mood with stimulants at any dosage. This goes away when they stop the stimulant.

Sometimes, a different stimulant medication can help. A nonstimulant drug may be necessary to address mood changes. At other times, combination therapy with an antidepressant helps mood changes.

Depression may occur at the same time as ADHD. Knowing about the increased risk of depression among people with ADHD can help you address any mood changes that may not be caused by medications.

Nausea and headaches

Any headaches or nausea that result from ADHD medication usually go away within a few weeks.

If the nausea and headaches don’t go away, tell your doctor. They may ask you to take your medication with food to see whether that helps.

Rebound effects

A “rebound effect” is when ADHD medication wears off by the end of the day and a person experiences a return of their symptoms — sometimes more severely than before. This happens because the drug is leaving the brain receptors too quickly.

Taking a small dose of the drug about 30 minutes before the rebound effect typically occurs may counteract this. Sometimes, a rebound effect means the dosage needs to be adjusted or a different medication is necessary.

For some people, there may be a mood disorder at play, or something else going on. Talk with your doctor about what’s going on in your life and the different factors that may be contributing to this.

Increase in blood pressure and pulse

Stimulant medications are typically associated with a small increase in blood pressure and pulse. This is generally not clinically significant, but if you have borderline hypertension or cardiac disease, it could become significant.

Before starting any medication for ADHD, tell your doctor about any other medical condition you might have. Don’t take stimulant drugs or atomoxetine if you have:

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

Knowing your medical history can help your doctor choose the most appropriate medication for you.

Seek medical care

Let your doctor know about any side effects you might have from the ADHD medication. You might have to try different medications before finding the best one for you.

If side effects don’t disappear after they’re expected to, let your doctor know. If you start to notice any side effects that start after taking the medication for a period of time, tell your doctor.

As with any kind of medication, ADHD medication has the potential for adverse side effects. These can vary, depending on the medication you’re taking and your reaction to the drug.

Talk with your doctor if you experience any side effects. Sometimes, you may have to try different medications to find the best one for you.