A member asked:

Does stimulant adhd medications give effects from the first pill or it needs 4-6 weeks to benefit like non stimulant meds ?

3 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
Dr. Bachar Al-Alami answered

Specializes in ADHD & Autism

No/Yes: Fast acting if you are on narcotics (hr)(adderall=methylphenidate) non narcotics 2-3 weeks (strattera=atomoxetine) both of the above are called stimulant . Stimulants are preferred to other medications because stimulants have a rapid onset of action and long record of safety and efficacy.

Answered 1/1/2014

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Dr. Patrick Tapia answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

One to three days: I would say that stimulant medications that are utilized in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder typically begin to manifest efficacy within the first one to three days of their administration. An important phenomenon to acknowledge is the accommodation of the nervous system to a particular dose and so increases in dose are often needed within a week or two for many patients.

Answered 11/17/2013

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Dr. Alan Koenigsberg answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Few days: Stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin (methylphenidate) usually take a few doses to work well. It may take weeks to find exactly the correct dose for each patient. This is the difficult part. If you are also taking other medications, your physician may want to increase your dose more slowly. Lastly, if you are taking all the medications you listed, you may have serious medication interactions. Talk to your doctor.

Answered 7/1/2014

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