Stimulants are usually the first medication tried for ADHD. Sometimes antidepressants are given for ADHD if 2 to 3 stimulants are tried and do not work.
Your child's doctor should start the stimulant at the lowest dose and only increase the dose as needed.
A short acting stimulant should last for about 4 hours and a long acting stimulant for about 8-12 hours.
