15 Side Effects of ADHD Medication: Can Meds Harm Kids?

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD can be frustrating to a child wanting to succeed in school and socially, yet they find themselves unable to concentrate, control impulses and get tasks started. Just remembering to grab their back pack everyday can be a hard mountain to climb!

Children with ADHD and their families deal with a range of emotions throughout their day, as both just want to see success. The daily “nag cycle” puts a lot of strain on the parent child relationship. Parents wonder, “Why can't this smart kid do this? Is he doing it on purpose?”

And kids feel the strain of constant reminders and criticism that leads to feelings of shame and giving up. The question becomes what can a parent do when a child is struggling? How can they reduce symptoms that prevent them from being successful?

In this case, parents may be quick to look to a doctor, and find a medicine to diminish these unwanted tendencies in their child. However, when considering the pros and cons of ADHD medication for your child, it is crucial to consider the short-term and long-term side effects of their use on a developing brain.

As explained in 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Medicate Your Child with ADHD, many popular ADHD medications can have adverse side effects and may cause more harm to your child's brain, and there are many less invasive therapies that exist that can alleviate symptoms just as effectively.

Before one gives ADHD medicines, such as Atomoxetine, Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Strattera, Methylphenidate, and other stimulant medications to their child or teen, one need to consider the short term and long term side effects of ADHD.

As common as ADHD stimulant medications are, there are some mild and serious effects of adhd medications on the brain and behavior that parents may not fully be aware of. It doesn't matter what type of ADHD medications one is using, there are some common side effects and others are less common but can be quite harmful.

ADHD medication isn't as “safe” as we think it is and before we ever give psychiatric medications to a developing brain, we need to consider other science-backed solutions that regulate the brain and teach kids skills. And in the case of ADHD and executive functioning issues, executive functioning skills can be learned.

Long Term Side Effects of Stimulant Medication

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Skin rash or hives
• Tremor
• Dry Mouth
• Black, tarry stools
• Blood in the urine or stools
• Blurred vision or other changes in vision
• Crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
• Muscle cramps
• Scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
• Unusual bleeding or bruising

Other Serious Side Effects of ADHD Medications

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Dr. Roseann is a Children’s Mental Health Expert and Therapist who has been featured in/on hundreds of media outlets including, CBS, NBC, FOX News, PIX11 NYC, The New York Times, The Washington Post,, Business Insider, USA Today, CNET, Marth Stewart, and PARENTS. FORBES called her, “A thought leader in children’s mental health.”