ADHD Non-Stimulant Medication

In cases where stimulants don’t work or cause unpleasant side effects, non-stimulants might help.

Non-stimulant medications may not work as well as stimulants but can improve symptoms like concentration and impulse control.

These medications usually take a while to start working. It could be several weeks before you feel the full effects.  

​​​​​​​ADHD non-stimulant medication side effects

Some non-stimulant medications have some added precautions. 

For those who are also depressed, low, and completely flat as a result, then as the medication begins to work, it can increase activity levels before it increases mood and, as such can create an added risk of suicide. This added risk:

• only relates to those with depression characterised by low energy. 
• is uncommon and affects a small and specific group of those who may take this medication. 
  

If this is the case, the prescribing specialist will need to monitor the patient more closely, and supervision to ensure safety is advised until the lifting effects of the medication come into effect for the first few weeks.  

Most have few side effects, but some can experience side effects from ADHD non-stimulant medication that include:

• fatigue
• upset stomach
• dry mouth, and
• nausea. 

Blood pressure can also rise when you stop taking this medication, but this does usually return to normal fairly quickly.

​If these occur, speak to your specialist, as it may mean that this is not the correct medication for you.

Non-stimulant medications to treat ADHD

​Here's a list of the non-stimulant medication options used to treat ADHD in New Zealand.

There are other options available. Generally, other options are prescribed to treat ADHD and a co-existing condition(s).