Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider About ADHD Medications

Introduction

Deciding on ADHD medication is a significant step that you likely have put a lot of thought into and would benefit from open communication with your healthcare provider. The right questions can help you understand the options, set expectations and ensure your medication plan aligns with your needs. Here’s a guide to the essential questions you can ask when discussing ADHD medications with your healthcare provider.

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‘Is Your Young Person Starting a New Medication? A list of questions to ask your care provider’

1. What are the different types of ADHD medications available?

There are two primary categories of ADHD medications: Stimulants and Non-stimulants

• Stimulants: the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD, some examples include
  • Methylphenidate: known by brand names such at Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin and Daytrana
  • Amphetamines: known by brand names such as Adderall, Dexedrine and Vyanse

• Non-stimulants: these are a variety of types of medication and include
  • Strattera (atomoxetine), has the most extensive research for use in supporting ADHDers, both adults and children
  • Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
  • Effexor (venlafaxine, anti-depressant/anti-anxiety)
  • Wellbutrin (bupropion, anti-depressant)
  • Some high-blood pressure medicines

2. How does this medication work?

Ask about how the medication influences brain activity. For example, stimulants enhance the availability of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which can improve focus and impulse control. Since non-stimulant medications are quite varied, the mechanism of action needs to be looked at individually.

For Stimulants, there are Short and Long-Acting Medications

Immediate-release (short-acting): 

• Can last for up to four hours
• Often taken by people to maximise their skills at school or work
• May experience what’s often referred to as “the crash” or “the rebound effect”
  • Sharp decrease in energy level, hunger, and/or drop in mood

Extended-release (intermediate-acting or long-acting): typically taken once in the morning each day, controlled release of active ingredients over an extended period

• May last from six to eight hours, or others last for up to 16 hours.
• These longer-acting ADHD medications may result in fewer “ups and downs” during the day and may reduce the need for extra doses at school or during work

A Combination: supplement an extended-release medication taken in the morning with an immediate-release dose taken in the mid to late afternoon.

• This extra dose may help cover the late afternoon to evening hours after the earlier dose starts to wear off

3. What are the potential side effects?

Understanding side effects allows you to anticipate and manage them. Common side effects might include:

• For Stimulants: appetite suppression, sleep difficulties or irritability
• For Non-Stimulants: vary depending on type of medication
  • Clonidine (Kapvay), guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Qelbree) side effects may include:
    • Sleepiness, fatigue, sedation, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting
  • Atomoxetine side effects may include
    • Upset stomach, reduced appetite, weight loss, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, mood swings

Image from Cleveland Clinic, 2025

If you do experience side effects, you are always welcome to report and discuss this with your healthcare provider. To help manage side effects, your healthcare provider may suggest

• Changing your medication dosage or schedule
• Changing to an extended-release formulation
• Using a different stimulant medication
• Trying a non-stimulant medication

4. How long does it take to see results?

Some medications work immediately, while others may take several weeks to build up in your system.

On average, non-stimulant medications for ADHD take longer to start working than stimulants. Many people report not fully feeling the effects of the non-stimulant medication until they’ve been taking it regularly for about 3 to 4 weeks (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).

Your provider can help set realistic expectations for when you might notice improvements in focus, organisation or other areas you may be concerned about.

5. What should I do if I miss a dose?

It’s important to know how to handle a missed dose to maintain the medication’s effectiveness and avoid potential complications. Your provider can guide you on when or if to take a missed dose and what to avoid.

For example, with methylphenidate, it is important to not take a double dose. Therefore, the UK NHS, recommends that if you forget a dose of methylphenidate to skip this missed dose and wait until it’s time for the next dose. Then, take the next dose as usual.

If you find that you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

The Edge Foundation has created a helpful lists of additional supports and they include adding post-it reminders on your front door and even putting your pill bottle in your shoes. To read their ideas more fully, here is the webpage.

6. Are there any lifestyle considerations while taking this medication?

Certain medications might interact with caffeine, supplements or other prescriptions. Your provider can advise you on dietary or lifestyle adjustments to maximise effectiveness and minimise side effects.

In addition, you may be asked to:

1. Monitor Sleep Patterns

2. Stay Hydrated

• Stimulants can sometimes cause dry mouth or mild dehydration

3. Be Mindful of Food Intake

• Appetite suppression is a common side effect of some ADHD medications
• Support access to preferred foods and snacks

4. Planning Strategically

• ADHD medication can improve focus during its active period
• Schedule demanding tasks or activities during the medication’s peak effectiveness

5. Finding Community

• If you feel comfortable, you may consider finding connection with other ADHDers like in online groups

7. How will we monitor progress?

Medication effectiveness can vary. Regular check-ins with your care provider ensure the medication remains effective and side effects are managed.

Your doctor may keep increasing the medication if you report getting a clear improvement in your targeted areas of concern (ie. concentration, planning) and only minimal side effects. If an increase in dosage does not result in further improvement, then the previous lower dose is your “sweet spot” dose (as described by Understood). It is the lowest dose that provides the optimal level of benefits without significant side effects. Therefore, it is a bit of a balancing act.

8. What if this medication doesn’t work for me?

Not all medications work for everyone. Understanding the backup plan may help with giving you peace of mind. Your healthcare provider can explain what changes might be made if the initial choice isn’t effective, including trying other medications or adjusting the dosage.

9. Will I need to take this medication long-term?

The answer is incredibly personal to you as ADHD medication can be taken for months, years or even up to a lifetime. Some people take medication long-term, while others use it during specific phases of their life. Deciding on your goals with medication and monitoring how you are feeling can help guide this ongoing decision.

Conclusion

Open dialogue with your healthcare provider is key to receiving the care you deserve and the medication that best works for you. By asking these questions, you can gain clarity, address concerns and feel more confident in your choices.

Thank you for reading,

Laura Hellfeld

RN, MSN, PHN, CNL

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References and Resources

• Cleveland Clinic
• UK NHS
• ‘Is Your Young Person Starting a New Medication? A list of questions to ask your care provider’
• Understood, Changing between stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medication
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), please note ableist language is used
• CDC ADHD Information, please note ableist language is used