6 Non-stimulant Medications for ADHD (& How They Work)
speciality medications
Non-stimulant ADHD medications can be life-changing but figuring out which of the available medications is best for you can be a challenge.
There are many options – from Wellbutrin for ADHD to Strattera for ADHD (and that’s just the beginning).
Which one is the best non-stimulant ADHD medication for adults?
And, as pediatric cases of ADHD are on the rise – which is the best non-stimulant ADHD medication for children?
In this comprehensive guide to non-stimulant ADHD medications, we’ll provide the information you need to take care of yourself or your loved one with ADHD.
We’ll also provide potentially game-changing information about the best way to ship prescription medications from Canada to America (and save lots of money in the process).
We’ll start with a few basic definitions.
What Are Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications?
ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder found in both children and adults. Those who have ADHD may experience difficulty paying attention or may have to manage impulsive behaviors.
While most children (and many adults) struggle with focus and hyperactivity at some point, people with ADHD have difficulty with these symptoms daily. They don’t grow out of these behaviors, and they can become severe enough to cause problems at school or work.
People interested in treating and managing ADHD have a few options to consider. These include:
- Non-medicinal ADHD treatments. Depending on the way your ADHD presents, you may see benefits by investing in behavioral therapy, ADHD coaching, neurofeedback, music therapy, and even assistive technology.
- Stimulant ADHD medications. One common class of ADHD treatments is stimulant medications, such as amphetamines (Adderall) or methylphenidate (Ritalin). For many, these can be effective options. However, they come with risks and side effects ranging from trouble sleeping to a loss of appetite.
- Non-stimulant ADHD medications. Non-stimulant ADHD medications are – for starters – not stimulants. Many stimulant ADHD medications are very powerful and can be dangerously addictive, to the point where they’re considered controlled substances. Non-stimulant ADHD medications can provide similar brain-balancing benefits without as much potency.
Many non-stimulant ADHD medications are currently used as off-label treatments to manage ADHD. This means that ADHD management may not be the condition the medication is primarily intended to treat. Instead, doctors have seen that these medications provide good results managing ADHD in people who take it under direct supervision.
In the next section, we’ll discuss non-stimulant ADHD medications more, including an overview of how they work and a guide to the most popular non-stimulant ADHD medications available today.
How Do Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications Work?
Let’s start by discussing how stimulant ADHD medications work.
These types of medications increase nerve-to-nerve communication in the brain. They accomplish this by increasing the number of available neurotransmitters, or chemicals that help send messages from nerve to nerve.
As a result, the patient’s prefrontal cortex (a brain region that controls emotions, behaviors, and thought patterns) receives more stimulation. This can help people with ADHD exert more control over their impulsiveness and attention spans.
Non-stimulant medications work a little more subtly but can achieve the same effect in some individuals.
Instead of increasing the number of available neurotransmitters in the brain, non-stimulant ADHD medications help the brain’s already-existing neurotransmitters, and receptors work a little better for a little longer.
For some people, this can provide a similar balancing effect without some of the risks of stimulant ADHD medication. Additionally, because they’re not addictive or recreational, non-stimulant ADHD medications are not controlled substances.
Why Choose Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications?
Because they tend to be more universally effective, stimulant ADHD medications are the usual first-choice medicinal treatment for ADHD.
However, there are several reasons a doctor might decide to prescribe a non-stimulant ADHD medication, instead. For example:
- Some stimulant medications don’t lead to reduced symptoms for certain patients.
- Stimulant medications can lead to non-starter side effects (e.g., chronic sleeplessness).
- Some patients are pursuing treatment for multiple disorders – and may have another disorder that doesn’t respond well to a stimulant. Those who struggle with ADHD and anxiety, for example, may not do well on a stimulant.
- Doctors may recommend that children take a combination of stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medication, depending on the situation and the child’s reaction to a specific stimulus. The same child, for example, might benefit from a stimulant medication when high levels of focus are required, but a non-stimulant ADHD medication at other times.
- Finally, doctors may recommend non-stimulant ADHD medications for teenagers or older children with a history of problematic drug use.
Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications: A Primer
Now that we’ve covered how non-stimulant ADHD medications work and common reasons doctors and patients choose these alternative ADHD meds, let’s talk about which ones might be worth looking into for you or your loved ones.
In this guide, we’ll cover typical first-choice medications, and any ADHD medications that have been shown to work especially well for specific situations or populations. However, it is always best to work directly with your healthcare professionals to determine which medication is best for you.
What are the Best Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications for Adults?
If you and your doctor think that non-stimulant ADHD medications are well-suited to support you as you manage your ADHD symptoms, it may make sense to start with atomoxetine.
Many ADHD specialists have determined that atomoxetine, or Strattera, may be a good first-choice non-stimulant ADHD medication for adults.
Here’s a quick ranking of common non-stimulant ADHD medications for adults:
- Atomoxetine
- Wellbutrin (bupropion)
- Tricyclic antidepressants
What are the Best Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications for Children?
Are the best non-stimulant ADHD medications for adults also good choices for children?
ADHD specialists generally report that while stimulant medications may be a good first choice (in some cases) for adults, children with ADHD are better off pursuing a combination of therapy, lifestyle and academic interventions, and strategic non-stimulant medications.
The non-stimulant ADHD medications for children most typically recommended include:
Six Effective Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications (+Side Effects, Doses, Prices)
Now that we’ve discussed common recommendations for ADHD medications, let’s look at the medications themselves. These are six of the most popular non-stimulant ADHD medications ordered through NorthWestPharmacy.com:
Wellbutrin for ADHD
Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an antidepressant that is relatively low-cost, effective, and widely available. It’s a standard first-choice treatment for adults with ADHD. Wellbutrin works by balancing levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.
This can result in better experiences with a range of mental health challenges, ranging from major depressive disorder, to seasonal affective disorder, and more.
As an off-label treatment of ADHD, Wellbutrin or bupropion may help establish regular thought patterns and increase a patient’s ability to focus. Wellbutrin should only be taken for ADHD at the express direction of a medical health professional.
Wellbutrin also comes in an extended-release formulation, Wellbutrin XL. This version of the drug may reduce associated side effects for some people.
In America, regular Wellbutrin is tough to find. Through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy generic bupropion for about $1.10 per pill, in a three-month supply for $100.00.
Strattera for ADHD
Strattera (atomoxetine) is one of the first prescription medications doctors consider for both children and adults with ADHD.
As an SNRI, or selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, Strattera can help balance brain chemistry. This results in improved impulse control and lessened hyperactivity.
American ADHD patients routinely pay around $460.00 for a one-month supply of brand-name Strattera, or about $15.30 per pill. Through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can purchase Strattera for $1.30 per pill, in an order of 100 pills for approximately $130.00 (up to 90% savings).
Clonidine for ADHD
Catapres (clonidine) is an anti-adrenergic agent. This means it helps provide balance for people experiencing disorders such as ADHD by modulating the body’s stress response.
Catapres can help regulate a person’s nervous system, too, by protecting normal blood flow and influencing a healthy heart rate.
In America, brand-name Catapres can be very difficult to find. Fortunately, you can buy Catapres very affordably through NorthWestPharmacy.com. Here, 100 pills of Catapres (or approximately a three-month supply) costs around $53.00, or just over $0.50 per pill.
Guanfacine for ADHD
Intuniv ER (guanfacine) is an extended-release medication that can help children with ADHD reduce disruptive behaviors and hyperactivity.
While researchers are still conducting studies to figure out how Intuniv ER works, it’s believed that Intuniv ER supports optimal prefrontal cortex functioning.
The prefrontal cortex is in charge of organizing the body’s emotional response to stimuli and overseeing impulse control and personality development.
With Intuniv ER, children who struggle to maintain control over these systems may stand a better chance of balanced emotions and behaviors.
American patients pay around $360.00 for 30 tablets of Intuniv ER, or $12.00 per tablet. Through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy Intuniv ER for about $6.00 per tablet, in a four-week supply for around $170.00 (up to 50% savings).
Desipramine for ADHD
Norpramin (desipramine) is a tricyclic antidepressant. For adults with ADHD, tricyclic antidepressants can function as effective non-stimulant ADHD medications.
Tricyclic antidepressants help boost the amount of usable serotonin in a person’s brain. As serotonin is associated with balance and happiness, taking a tricyclic antidepressant can help reduce the symptoms of adult ADHD.
In addition, Norpramin helps boost available norepinephrine, which can double the efficacy of this medication for select ADHD patients.
Through NorthWestPharmacy.com, American patients can buy brand-name Norpramin for about $2.00 per pill (in an order of 100 tablets, or about a three-month supply) for approximately $200.00.
Imipramine for ADHD
Tofranil (imipramine) is, like Norpramin, a tricyclic antidepressant. Patients take Tofranil or generic imipramine for ADHD symptoms, as well as for other mental health disorders such as depression.
Tofranil converts from imipramine to desipramine – the active ingredient in Norpramin – once it’s in the body. Tofranil can be a good option for people who have tried Norpramin but haven’t seen the intended benefits.
Patients who take Tofranil regularly usually see improved moods and motivation, more consistent sleep, and can take more control over their focus, attention, and activity levels.
American patients who require Tofranil pay a steep price for this prescription medication. A one-month supply of Tofranil costs nearly $600.00 in the States, or $20.00 per pill! Here, at NorthWestPharamcy.com, you can buy 50 pills of Tofranil – a little over a seven-week supply – starting at around $25.00. That works out to $0.50 per pill, or up to 90% savings.
Buy High-Quality Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications for Less
When you’re trying to figure out the best way to care for yourself or your loved one with ADHD, things can get very confusing.
From working with a doctor to get a prescription to finding, affording, and buying the right ADHD medications – it’s a lot.
If you’re looking for high-quality non-stimulant ADHD medications and don’t want to pay high American prices, you’re in the right place.
It may be time to consider the perks of shipping your prescription medications straight from Canada or internationally. These perks include:
- Consistently low prices. Because we’re an international and Canadian online pharmacy, we save on sourcing high-quality products internationally and on the costs of running a brick-and-mortar business. We pass those cost savings on to our American customers.
- Great customer service. We know that buying Canadian prescription medications online can feel strange, so we’ve invested considerable time and effort into ensuring our customer service team provides an excellent experience for anyone who emails or calls. (Check out our online pharmacy ratings to see hundreds of thousands of testimonials about our great service from satisfied customers.)
- Your choice of ordering experience. Want to call in and place an order over the phone? Prefer the seamlessness of ordering online with a few clicks? You can order your medications through NorthWestPharmacy.com in several ways, including by fax and regular mail.
When you’re ready to order prescription medications straight from Canada or abroad to your front door, call NorthWestPharmacy.com – the number is 1-866-539-5330. Our international drugstore and safe Canadian online pharmacy is ready to help you save money on your necessary ADHD medications.
