Stimulant Management of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder for the Pediatric Prescriber: A Review of Stimulant-Dosing Strategies and An Overview of New Stimulants

Pediatricians are often the first providers to assess and treat attention-deficit/hyper-activity disorder (ADHD) in youth. While a variety of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions exist for ADHD, stimulants remain the first-line medication treatment. Many stimulant formulations now exist, providing the pediatric prescriber with a diverse repertoire of treatment options. This article is tailored to the pediatric prescriber in the primary care setting and discusses stimulant management, with emphasis on dosing equivalencies, common stimulant-dosing strategies, and newer stimulants.