Which medication is commonly used to treat ADHD?

Which medication is commonly used to treat ADHD?

• A. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
• B. Lithium (Carbolith)
• C. Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
• D. Phenobarbital (Luminal)

Answer: (C)

ADHD is treated effectively with stimulant medications that boost dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, especially in the prefrontal cortex, which helps with attention and impulse control. Methylphenidate works by blocking the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, increasing their availability in synapses and improving the brain’s ability to sustain attention, control impulses, and regulate activity. This makes it the most commonly used medication for ADHD, particularly in children and adolescents. The other drugs listed serve different indications: a benzodiazepine for anxiety or withdrawal, a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder, and a barbiturate for seizures or sedation.

ADHD is treated effectively with stimulant medications that boost dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, especially in the prefrontal cortex, which helps with attention and impulse control. Methylphenidate works by blocking the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, increasing their availability in synapses and improving the brain’s ability to sustain attention, control impulses, and regulate activity. This makes it the most commonly used medication for ADHD, particularly in children and adolescents. The other drugs listed serve different indications: a benzodiazepine for anxiety or withdrawal, a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder, and a barbiturate for seizures or sedation.