Stimulant medications like methylphenidate and different mixtures of amphetamine are the treatment with the best evidence base for treating symptoms of ADHD. They can significantly improve quality of life and can improve any and all of the 18 symptoms of ADHD, and some of the associated features, such as emotional dysregulation and irritability. However, medication doesn’t offer a one-size-fits-all solution. There is no way a doctor can tell what chemical will have the best effect (methylphenidate or dexamphetamine here in New Zealand), and at what dose. There isn't a mg/kg formula for dosing as there are for some medications. It comes down to trial and error and titrating the dose to maximise treatment effect while minimising side effects.
You may have come across accounts from individuals who've taken medication, describing significant positive changes in their symptoms. Yet for a minority of people, despite following a treatment plan, they find that the medication isn't having the desired effects on symptoms, or is even having some significant negative effects. As with all types of medication, it can take several months to get it right.
While it can be very disheartening and can increase imposter syndrome when things aren't going the way a person thought they would, there is room for medications to be optimised, and this blog post looks at some of the signs that things aren't right, and what to do about them.
Signs Your Medication May Not Be Working Well When effective, stimulant medications should offer significant symptom relief, helping a person focus better, reducing impulsivity, and making it easier to complete daily tasks. Any side effects should be minimal and tolerable. For some people, side effects persist over time and for some, they reduce over time or can be managed with behavioural modifications or changes in timing or formulation of medication used.
Minimal or No Clinical Improvement
One of the primary indicators that your medication might not be working is a lack of noticeable improvement in your symptoms. If your focus, impulsivity, or other symptoms haven't improved, despite an increasing dose, the person should talk to their prescriber about options.
Unpleasant Side Effects If a person experiences side effects that are bothersome or disruptive, like extreme irritability, sleep disturbances, or significant appetite and weight loss, it's essential to talk to the prescribing doctor.
I have had clients who tell me they avoid taking their medication unless they absolutely have to as they don't like the way it makes them feel. People have told me about feeling tense, having a tight jaw, increased anxiety, clenching their jaw while sleeping, sweating profusely, or feeling uncomfortably stimulated. If a person is avoiding taking meds due to side effects, that is a reason to talk to their prescriber about options.
What to Do If Your Medication Isn't Working
The first step in addressing concerns about your medication's effectiveness is to consult with the healthcare provider who prescribed it. Open, honest communication about your symptoms and side effects will allow the prescriber to make informed decisions about your treatment.
Fine-tuning is a standard part of the treatment journey for ADHD medication, just as it is for many other mental and physical health medications.
Conclusion
Treating ADHD is a highly individualised process. If you find that your current medication isn’t providing the relief you expected or is causing some nasty side effects, don't lose hope! It really is a trial-and-error approach. The key is to maintain open and honest lines of communication with the prescriber, working collaboratively to find the treatment that fits best.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey. Lots of other people have to spend quite a bit of time getting their medication right. Then, meds may change again in the future due to other life factors, like changing task demands, having children, ageing, pregnancy, or menopause, or health, and it's entirely okay to seek adjustments in your treatment. Remember, stimulant medication is the best evidence-based treatment for ADHD, so it makes sense to work to find what works well.
See my blog post ADHD Medications Available in New Zealand Part 1: Stimulants for an up-to-date list of all the stimulant meds available in New Zealand.
Clinical psychologist Dr Thomas E. Brown discusses how to optimise and troubleshoot stimulant medication: The ADHD Medication Stopped Working! How to Troubleshoot Treatment. Note that many of the medications in this article are not available in New Zealand, so compare it to the medications listed in my stimulants blog post to see what you may have access to.
Here's an excellent one-hour podcast about ADHD meds and how to optimise them, presented by ADHD expert psychiatrist Dr William Dodson.
Click here to see a psychiatrist explain how methylphenidate and dexamphetamine work in the brain.
