Switching Medications: What to Do if ADHD Treatment Isn’t Working
Health ConditionsNeurological DisordersADHD

Switching Medications: What to Do if Your ADHD Treatment Isn’t Working

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Published on March 2, 2026
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I t’s not uncommon for the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to change over time. Impulsiveness may have evolved into a lack of focus, for example, or an inability to sit still may now be poor time management skills.

As ADHD symptoms change, you may also notice that the treatment that once worked well for you is no longer effective.

If that’s the case, read on to learn whether you should talk to your doctor about adjusting your plan or switching to a new medication altogether.

7 Reasons to Switch ADHD Medications

Sometimes all that may be needed is a change in the medication’s dosage. In other cases, you may need to change to a new treatment altogether. Here are a few reasons that may prompt people with ADHD to consider making a switch.

1. Symptoms Aren’t Under Control

If you have reached a therapeutic dose (enough medication to bring about the desired effects) but struggle to meet your goals — for example, the ability to start tasks, remember what you need to, and finish projects consistently — your doctor may want to add a medication to enhance the one you’re already taking.

1. Symptoms Aren’t Under Control

2. You’re Struggling With Side Effects

Side effects aren’t always a reason to stop a treatment, especially if symptoms are improving. But if you simply can’t cope with the effects of the medication, you may have to make a switch, says David Goodman, MD, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.

2. You’re Struggling With Side Effects

3. You Have a New Health Condition

Conditions such as high blood pressure can make stimulants risky, which may lead your doctor to prescribe a nonstimulant alternative.

3. You Have a New Health Condition

4. You Still Have Gaps in Executive Function

If you struggle with planning or emotional regulation, your doctor might add a nonstimulant to your regimen, says Dr. Goodman.

4. You Still Have Gaps in Executive Function

5. You’re Having Trouble Keeping Up With the Medication Schedule

If you’re juggling multiple doses of medication per day, consider asking your doctor about extended-release ADHD drugs, which are usually taken once a day and can help streamline treatment. Research suggests that adults who take this kind of medication are more likely to continue treatment.

5. You’re Having Trouble Keeping Up With the Medication Schedule

6. You Can No Longer Afford the ADHD Medication

Changes to your health insurance status — maybe you switched jobs, lost coverage, or had to pick a new insurance plan — may result in higher medication costs. Talk to your doctor about a more affordable generic version or patient assistance programs. They can also help with any prior authorizations or appeals.

6. You Can No Longer Afford the ADHD Medication

7. You Can’t Do Things That Bring You Joy

If you’re struggling to do hobbies or maintain relationships, a new medication could help you thrive, says Goodman.

7. You Can’t Do Things That Bring You Joy

Assess Your ADHD Treatment

Answer these questions to evaluate whether your current treatment plan is truly hitting the mark or if it’s time to talk to your doctor about making a change.
Question 1/6

Since you began the current treatment, are symptoms still interfering with your daily life?

  • Yes
  • No

Treatment Options for ADHD

“The goal is to optimize medications as much as possible before we switch,” says Goodman, adding that “pills don’t teach skills,” so medication works best when paired with behavioral interventions. Your provider may suggest that, together, you:

5 Treatment Changes Your Doctor May Recommend

  • Adjust the dose. Sometimes simply increasing the dose of medication can bring symptoms under control.
  • Change the delivery method. Moving from an immediate-release pill to an extended-release capsule or patch can smooth out ups and downs in energy, focus, and mood.
  • Add another medication. Some nonstimulants can be used alongside stimulants to maximize focus and minimize the evening crash.
  • Change the molecule. In many cases, switching to a different chemical class (from an amphetamine to a methylphenidate, for example) can provide a better biological fit.
  • Implement behavioral counseling or executive function coaching. Different types of therapy and training can help you develop skills to better manage your responsibilities and relationships.
Stimulant medication is the most common drug for ADHD, so there’s a good chance your doctor may want you to stay on one or add one to your treatment regimen. Nonstimulant medications and lifestyle interventions can also be part of a holistic plan.

Stimulants These are the most commonly prescribed ADHD medications and help many people improve attention, focus, and impulse control. Stimulants work by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine chemicals in the brain that play a role in attention and motivation. The drugs come in different forms, including short-acting and long-acting options, as well as pills, capsules, liquids, and even skin patches.

Nonstimulants Nonstimulants may be an option if stimulants cause side effects or don’t provide enough relief on their own. These medications don’t carry the same risk of misuse as stimulants and can offer steady symptom support throughout the day — sometimes up to 24 hours

Antidepressants Although antidepressants aren’t approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for ADHD, some are prescribed off-label when ADHD symptoms overlap with mood concerns such as anxiety or depression.

Behavioral Therapy Behavioral therapy focuses on practical, day-to-day support, helping you build strategies for organization, planning, self-monitoring, and time management — skills that can make daily life feel more manageable. This approach is about finding tools that work with your brain, not against it.

Psychotherapy and Family Therapy Psychotherapy offers a space to explore unhelpful behavioral patterns and develop ways to manage symptoms with greater confidence and self-understanding. Couples or family therapy can also be helpful and establish a forum so partners or family members can better understand ADHD, improve communication, and strengthen support at home.

Social Skills Training Social skills training focuses on navigating relationships more comfortably. It can help with managing interactions, reading social cues, and solving interpersonal challenges. These skills can be especially helpful at work or school and in close relationships.

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Changing Treatments for ADHD

If you’re thinking about adjusting treatment or switching medications, you’ll want to go into your next appointment with a game plan. You should feel empowered to ask any question and give your doctor the full picture. Here are some examples of what you may want to share:

8 Things to Tell Your Doctor

  1. What’s Working and What Isn’t You may notice that you’re more focused but struggle to finish tasks, remember things, or follow through. Or you might feel calmer or more attentive but have trouble with big-picture planning, procrastination, or emotional regulation.
  2. Whether You Should Consider Other Options Ask about how the treatment you’re on works, compared with other medications, such as a different stimulant or a nonstimulant medication.
  3. If Symptoms Start to Reappear During the Day Share when symptoms tend to flare up day-to-day or when you notice the medication wearing off.
  4. Side Effects That Affect Your Quality of Life This could include changes in appetite, heart rate, sleep, or anything else that feels disruptive.
  5. How You Feel Emotionally Let your provider know whether you feel like yourself or are feeling emotionally flat or disconnected.
  6. If You’re Curious About Another Delivery Method Some people do better with extended-release capsules, patches, or other options that give them longer coverage throughout the day.
  7. Practical Considerations Ask whether a new medication is covered by your insurance plan and what alternatives might be available if it isn’t.
  8. How You’ll Define Success Together Talk about how you and your provider will evaluate whether a new treatment is helping after about 30 days.

6 Tips for Switching ADHD Treatments Successfully

The Bottom Line About Switching Treatments

Finding the right ADHD treatment is a process, not a onetime event. If the current plan leaves you settling for feeling good enough, remember that the goal is not just to reduce symptoms but also to help you succeed in the areas of life that matter most.

By tracking symptoms and communicating with your doctor, you can work together to find a treatment plan that meets your goals.

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Additional Sources
  • Schein J et al. Reasons for Treatment Changes in Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Chart Review Study. BMC Psychiatry. June 3, 2022.
  • Schein J et al. Treatment Patterns Among Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in the United States: A Retrospective Claims Study. Current Medical Research and Opinion. November 2021.
  • Schein J et al. Treatment Patterns Among Patients With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Comorbid Anxiety and/or Depression in the United States: A Retrospective Claims Analysis. Advances in Therapy. May 2023.
  • Zhang L et al. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Medications and Long-Term Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases. JAMA Psychiatry. February 2024.
  • Jeun KJ et al. Factors Influencing the Medication Adherence in Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Its Impact on Healthcare Utilization. Journal of Attention Disorders. January 2024.
  • ADHD Medication. Cleveland Clinic. October 6, 2022.
  • Mental Health Medications. National Institute of Mental Health. December 2023.
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. National Institutes of Mental Health. December 2024.
  • Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Diagnosis & Treatment. Mayo Clinic. January 25, 2023.
  • Medications Used to Treat ADHD. UCDavis Health Mind Institute.
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Lee S. Cohen, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor, From NewYork-Presbyterian

Lee S. Cohen, MD, is an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, maintains a clinical practice focused on expert and complex diagnostics, and is considered an international expert in clinical psychopharmacology. He is also the director of the Clinical Neuroscience Center, involved in innovative development and discovery of new compounds for neuropsychiatric conditions and directly consults with multiple pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

Dr. Cohen graduated from the Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program at the CUNY School of Medicine at The City College of New York, an accelerated six-year BS/MD program. He then completed his MD at SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine.

He trained in pediatrics and adult psychiatry at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, followed by a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He served for 20 years as the director of psychiatry at the Clinical Neuroscience Center at Mount Sinai West Hospital.

He is a senior reviewer for multiple journals, including the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, the Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, and the International Journal of Autism and Related Disabilities.

Cohen teaches and presents research domestically and internationally at meetings such as those of the American Psychiatric Association and at major universities around the country.

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