• What is ADHD?
    • Adults with ADHD
    • Children and teens with ADHD
    • ADHD is more common than you think
    • Why it's good to have ADHD
  • Have you got ADHD?
    • Think you're an adult with ADHD?
    • Think your child has ADHD?
    • How to get a diagnosis for ADHD >
      • Getting an assessment and diagnosis for ADHD
      • Self screening assessment tool for adults who suspect that they have ADHD​
    • Co-Morbidities
    • FAQs
  • Succeed with ADHD
    • Access ADHD Healthcare Professionals >
      • The Different Types of Healthcare Professionals
    • Managing ADHD >
      • Families living with ADHD
      • ADHD in schools
    • ADHD Medication >
      • ADHD Stimulant Medication
      • ADHD Non-Stimulant Medication
      • ADHD Anti-Depressant Medication
    • ADHD Support Organisations
    • Become a member of ADHD NZ's community >
      • ADHD Wellington
      • Events and promotions
      • Vlogs, blogs and ADHD news
  • About Us
    • Our People
    • Help Us By Volunteering
    • Contact Us
    • Sponsors
    • ADHD Ambassador
ADHD NEW ZEALAND
  • What is ADHD?
    • Adults with ADHD
    • Children and teens with ADHD
    • ADHD is more common than you think
    • Why it's good to have ADHD
  • Have you got ADHD?
    • Think you're an adult with ADHD?
    • Think your child has ADHD?
    • How to get a diagnosis for ADHD >
      • Getting an assessment and diagnosis for ADHD
      • Self screening assessment tool for adults who suspect that they have ADHD​
    • Co-Morbidities
    • FAQs
  • Succeed with ADHD
    • Access ADHD Healthcare Professionals >
      • The Different Types of Healthcare Professionals
    • Managing ADHD >
      • Families living with ADHD
      • ADHD in schools
    • ADHD Medication >
      • ADHD Stimulant Medication
      • ADHD Non-Stimulant Medication
      • ADHD Anti-Depressant Medication
    • ADHD Support Organisations
    • Become a member of ADHD NZ's community >
      • ADHD Wellington
      • Events and promotions
      • Vlogs, blogs and ADHD news
  • About Us
    • Our People
    • Help Us By Volunteering
    • Contact Us
    • Sponsors
    • ADHD Ambassador

adhd non-stimulant medication

In cases where stimulants don’t work or cause unpleasant side effects, non-stimulants might help.

Non-stimulant medications may not work as well as stimulants but can improve symptoms like concentration and impulse control.

These medications usually take a while to start working. It could be several weeks before you feel the full effects.  

ADHD non-stimulant medication side effects

Some non-stimulant medications have some added precautions. 

For those who are also depressed, low, and completely flat as a result, then as the medication begins to work, it can increase activity levels before it increases mood and, as such can create an added risk of suicide. This added risk:
  • only relates to those with depression characterised by low energy. 
  • is uncommon and affects a small and specific group of those who may take this medication. 

If this is the case, the prescribing specialist will need to monitor the patient more closely, and supervision to ensure safety is advised until the lifting effects of the medication come into effect for the first few weeks.  

Most have few side effects, but some can experience side effects from ADHD non-stimulant medication that include:
  • fatigue
  • upset stomach
  • dry mouth, and
  • nausea. 

Blood pressure can also rise when you stop taking this medication, but this does usually return to normal fairly quickly.


​If these occur, speak to your specialist, as it may mean that this is not the correct medication for you.

Non-stimulant medications to treat ADHD

​Here's a list of the non-stimulant medication options used to treat ADHD in New Zealand.

There are other options available. Generally, other options are prescribed to treat ADHD and a co-existing condition(s).
​Brand name
​Active ingredient
​Form
Links to MedSafe NZ datasheets
Strattera
Atomoxetine
Capsules
Check for drug interactions and side effects
Vyvanse
Lisdexamfetamine dimesilate
Capsules
Check for drug interactions and side effects

Find a healthcare professional near you
Healthcare professionals near you
Co-morbidities
Why is ADHD challenging to diagnose?
Join us for ADHD Awareness Month 2021
Find out what happened during our October Awareness Month 2021 
Your use of this website is governed by our Privacy Policy and Disclaimer. The material on this website is provided for educational purposes only. ADHD NZ is not-for-profit organisation who will provide to you on-going support in your ADHD journey. However, we do not provide medical advice, assessment, diagnosis, or treatment.  Your GP can recommend a suitable healthcare professional.

What's ADHD?

Adults with ADHD
​Children and teens with ADHD

​ADHD is more common than you think
Why it's good to have ADHD

Have you got ADHD?

Think you're an adult with ADHD?
Think your child has ADHD?
How to get a diagnosis for ADHD

Getting an assessment and diagnosis of ADHD
Self-screening tool for adults with ADHD
Co-morbidities
​
FAQs

Succeed with ADHD

Find healthcare professionals near you
The different types of healthcare professionals
Managing ADHD
Families living with ADHD
ADHD in schools
​
ADHD medication
ADHD stimulant medication
ADHD non-stimulant medication
ADHD anti-depressant medication

Get support from other organisations
Become a member of ADHD NZ's community
ADHD Wellington
ADHD events and promotions
Vlogs, blogs and ADHD NZ in the media

About Us

Our people
Help us by volunteering
Contact us
Sponsors
​Ambassador

Follow us

Privacy policy

Disclaimer

​© COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • What is ADHD?
    • Adults with ADHD
    • Children and teens with ADHD
    • ADHD is more common than you think
    • Why it's good to have ADHD
  • Have you got ADHD?
    • Think you're an adult with ADHD?
    • Think your child has ADHD?
    • How to get a diagnosis for ADHD >
      • Getting an assessment and diagnosis for ADHD
      • Self screening assessment tool for adults who suspect that they have ADHD​
    • Co-Morbidities
    • FAQs
  • Succeed with ADHD
    • Access ADHD Healthcare Professionals >
      • The Different Types of Healthcare Professionals
    • Managing ADHD >
      • Families living with ADHD
      • ADHD in schools
    • ADHD Medication >
      • ADHD Stimulant Medication
      • ADHD Non-Stimulant Medication
      • ADHD Anti-Depressant Medication
    • ADHD Support Organisations
    • Become a member of ADHD NZ's community >
      • ADHD Wellington
      • Events and promotions
      • Vlogs, blogs and ADHD news
  • About Us
    • Our People
    • Help Us By Volunteering
    • Contact Us
    • Sponsors
    • ADHD Ambassador