Keep a simple record of the ADHD medicine, dose, time taken, and any new or worsening symptoms. Contact the prescriber about side effects that are bothersome, severe, persistent, unusual, or making treatment difficult. For serious symptoms or a suspected prescription-stimulant overdose, seek emergency care or call 911. The right advice depends on the medicine and formulation, so read its Medication Guide and ask your clinician or pharmacist about its specific warnings.
What to record when a side effect appears
A short log can help you describe what changed and when. This is a practical aid, not an official FDA or MedlinePlus diary requirement. Record:
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- The medicine name and dose.
- When the dose was taken.
- The symptom and when it began.
- How long it lasted and whether it happened again.
- Whether it was mild, worsening, or disruptive to sleep, eating, school, work, or daily activities.
MedlinePlus advises knowing each medicine’s name and dose and discussing possible side effects with a provider. Examples it identifies include stomach pain, trouble falling or staying asleep, eating less or weight loss, tics or jerky movements, mood changes, unusual thoughts, hearing or seeing things that are not there, and a fast heartbeat. The FDA also lists appetite loss, trouble sleeping, headache, stomachache, irritability, fast heart rate, and high blood pressure as common effects of prescription stimulants. These examples are not a diagnosis or a complete list for every ADHD medicine. MedlinePlus: Medicines for ADHD; FDA stimulant safety communication.
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Contact the prescribing clinician about side effects that concern you, especially if they are severe, unusual, getting worse, or do not go away. Get in touch as well if the medicine is not controlling ADHD symptoms or side effects are making it hard to continue treatment. The clinician can advise whether the dose or treatment should change; do not change the dose or stop the medicine on your own. Follow the prescription until you receive medicine-specific advice.
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For amphetamine specifically, MedlinePlus says to call the doctor right away for signs of heart problems such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting. If symptoms are serious, use emergency services rather than treating them as a routine message to the prescriber. MedlinePlus: Amphetamine drug information.
When to seek emergency help for stimulant symptoms
FDA guidance says to go to an emergency room or call 911 for serious side effects from prescription stimulants or possible stimulant overdose. Warning signs can include:
- Seizures, very fast breathing, or a fast or irregular pulse.
- Confusion, restlessness, aggressive behavior, or tremors.
- Symptoms that may indicate a heart attack or stroke.
- Other possible overdose-related symptoms, including increased blood pressure, dilated pupils, loss of coordination, muscle pain, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, panic, or hallucinations.
This emergency guidance is about serious stimulant effects and possible stimulant overdose; it does not mean every ordinary side effect is an emergency. Follow the Medication Guide and clinician’s instructions for the specific medicine. FDA stimulant safety communication.
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Stimulants are commonly used for ADHD, and non-stimulant medicines are also available. MedlinePlus names atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, and clonidine among FDA-approved non-stimulant ADHD medicines for children and adolescents. Warnings differ by drug and formulation, so stimulant-specific overdose warnings should not be assumed to apply identically to non-stimulants.
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- Track Your Medical History: In life there are many things to keep track of - keep track of all of your medical information here. There are spaces to track your allergies and possible reactions, any major illnesses and how those were treated, any medical tests and who ran them, surgeries performed, hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and known medical conditions.
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Read the Medication Guide provided with the prescription and ask the prescriber or pharmacist about that medicine’s side effects, interactions, and what to do if a dose is missed or a symptom appears. FDA advises taking stimulant medicines exactly as prescribed, never sharing them, and storing them securely. Patients and healthcare professionals can report side effects through FDA MedWatch.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Extra consideration for children younger than six
In a July 1, 2025 safety communication, FDA warned that children younger than six taking extended-release stimulants had higher rates of weight loss and other adverse reactions than older children taking the same dose. Extended-release stimulants are not approved for ADHD treatment in children under six, though they may be prescribed off label. If a child in this age group loses weight while taking one, contact the pediatrician or other healthcare professional to discuss the benefits and risks and follow their advice. FDA tells clinicians to monitor growth and development. This warning is specific to extended-release stimulants and this age group, not every ADHD medicine or every child. FDA safety communication on extended-release stimulants and young children.
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