Medication is one of the most effective treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). For many children, adolescents, and adults, it significantly improves concentration, reduces impulsive behaviour, and helps them stay organised and complete everyday tasks. When prescribed after a thorough psychiatric assessment and monitored regularly, ADHD medication is both safe and highly effective.
At CHMC Dubai, medication is always prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Before starting treatment, our psychiatrist confirms the diagnosis according to the DSM-5 criteria, evaluates possible co-existing psychiatric or medical conditions, and discusses the potential benefits and risks of each medication with the patient. The choice of medication depends on the individual’s symptoms, lifestyle, medical history, and personal preferences.
Stimulant medications remain the first-line treatment for ADHD because they have been extensively studied and consistently demonstrate the greatest improvement in attention, executive functioning, and impulse control. Non-stimulant medications provide an effective alternative for patients who cannot tolerate stimulants or have specific medical contraindications.
The aim of ADHD medication is not to change a person’s personality. Instead, it improves the brain’s ability to regulate attention, planning, and self-control, allowing patients to perform closer to their true intellectual and professional potential. Medication is usually combined with psychoeducation, behavioural strategies, and psychotherapy to achieve the best long-term results.
For more information contact our consultant psychiatrist Dr. Kowal
How ADHD Medication Works
ADHD is linked to an imbalance of neurotransmitters, especially dopamine and noradrenaline, in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region responsible for focus, attention, and impulse control.
Stimulant medications counteract this imbalance by slowing the reuptake of dopamine and noradrenaline. This allows the neurotransmitters to remain active longer, increasing alertness, concentration, and mental performance.
It may seem unusual to treat hyperactivity with stimulating medication. However, this medication has actually a calming effect on ADHD patients. Therefore, the risk of dependency in accurately diagnosed patients is negligible. Nevertheless, in order to reduce the risk of habit-forming behaviour the medication of choice are slow-release stimulants, like Concerta containing Methylphenidate or Vyvans containing Lisamphetamine.
A careful titration of the medication used for ADHD treatment and regular laboratory and ECG controls help to exclude potential side effects. If these criteria are met, the benefits of treatment far outweigh the possible risks.
Atomoxetine works differently. It selectively blocks the reuptake of noradrenaline, which helps improve attention and reduce impulsive behaviour. Guanfacine also affects noradrenaline signaling, although its exact mechanism in ADHD is not fully understood.
Medications Available in Dubai for ADHD
Medication use for ADHD belngs to different groups. Stimulants such as methylphenidate (MPH) and lisamphetamine are considered first-line treatment.
Atomoxetine (ATX), a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, also plays an important role and is not classified as a stimulant.
A dopaminerg antidepressant, such as Bupropion, may also be used when other treatments are not suitable.
The main active substances used today for ADHD in Dubai include methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine and, less often, lisamphetamine.
Treatment usually begins with a low dose, which is gradually increased until symptoms improve.
ADHD Treatment with Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is a psychostimulant used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It was first introduced to the market in 1954 under the brand name Ritalin.
Methylphenidate is available in several formulations that differ mainly in the way the active substance is released. These pharmaceutical differences determine whether the medication takes effect immediately or is released gradually over a longer period, which influences the duration of action.
The choice of preparation depends on the patient’s individual needs. Immediate-release formulations allow flexible dosing but require more frequent intake, while extended-release formulations provide a steadier and longer effect, which can be especially useful in daily routines or school settings.
Immediate-Release Formulations
This form of methylphenidate is released quickly after ingestion and reaches its effective blood level within 30 to 60 minutes. The effect usually lasts three to four hours, which often makes multiple daily doses necessary.
In Dubai, the immediate-release version is available under the brand name Ritalin. These tablets are often taken in the morning and afternoon to maintain consistent symptom control throughout the day, though they need to be taken at regular intervals.
Extended-Release Formulations
To achieve a longer-lasting effect and reduce the number of daily doses, extended-release methylphenidate was developed. These formulations release the active substance continuously over an extended period.
This is achieved through specialized pharmaceutical technology that binds the medication in different layers or reservoirs. As a result, methylphenidate is released in several phases: an initial immediate release followed by a slow, continuous release over several hours. In Dubai, the extended-release form of methylphenidate is available under the brand name Concerta.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, marketed in Dubai under the brand name Strattera, is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It is the first ADHD medication classified as a non-stimulant and therefore not subject to narcotics regulations. Atomoxetine is approved for adults when ADHD symptoms were present during childhood. It is often chosen when stimulants are not tolerated or not advisable. Atomoxetine is generally well tolerated and has no potential for misuse or dependence.
Clinical studies have shown that atomoxetine significantly reduces the core symptoms of ADHD: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Improvements have also been observed in psychosocial areas such as self-esteem and family interactions.
Atomoxetine’s effectiveness is comparable to that of methylphenidate, and the response rate is similarly around 80 percent. Although many patients begin to notice an effect after about one week, it generally takes four to six weeks to reach full therapeutic benefit.
A major advantage of atomoxetine is that a single morning dose provides continuous symptom control until the next day. Atomoxetine is often considered when patients continue to experience symptoms at critical times—such as early in the morning—despite treatment with methylphenidate, or when methylphenidate is poorly tolerated.
Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is used in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It belongs to the group of synthetic amphetamines and is regulated under narcotics legislation.
Lisdexamfetamine itself is pharmacologically inactive. After oral intake, it is rapidly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and converted primarily by red blood cells into dexamfetamine, the active metabolite. The plasma half-life of lisdexamfetamine is generally less than one hour. Because the half-life of dexamfetamine is around 11 hours, a single dose of lisdexamfetamine provides symptom control throughout the day. In Dubai, lisdexamfetamine is marketed under the brand name Vyvanse.
The substance increases the availability of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine in the synaptic cleft by inhibiting their reuptake. The exact way in which this process leads to improvement in ADHD symptoms is not yet fully understood.
Possible Side Effects of ADHD Medication
Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, headaches, increased restlessness, sometimes accompanied by sleep disturbances. Because of frequent sleep disturbances, these medications should not be taken late in the day.
