<unk>  is most commonly used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder<unk>  is used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The addition of behavioural modification therapy can have additional benefits on treatment outcome. The dosage may vary and is titrated to effect, with some guidelines recommending initial treatment with a low dose. Immediate release<unk>  is used daily along with the longer-acting form to achieve full-day control of symptoms.<unk>  is not approved for children under six years of age. In children over the age of 6 and adolescents, the short-term benefits and cost effectiveness of<unk>  are well established. A number of reviews have established the safety and effectiveness for individuals with ADHD over several years. Approximately 70% of those who use<unk>  see improvements in ADHD symptoms. Children with ADHD who use stimulant medications generally have better relationships with peers and family members, perform better in school, are less distractible and impulsive, and have longer attention spans. There is evidence to suggest that children diagnosed with ADHD who do not receive treatment will have an increased risk of substance use disorders as adults. The precise magnitude of improvement in ADHD symptoms and quality of life that are produced by<unk>  treatment remains uncertain as of November 2015.<unk>  is not included in the World Health Organization Essential Medicines List, as findings by the World Health Organization indicate that evidence of benefit versus harm to be unclear in the treatment of ADHD. A 2021 systematic review concluded that there is no clear evidence for using IR<unk>  (immediate-release) for adults. Since ADHD diagnosis has increased around the world,<unk>  may be misused as a "study drug" by some populations, which may be harmful. This also applies to people who may be experiencing a different issue and are misdiagnosed with ADHD. People in this category can then experience negative side-effects of the drug which worsen their condition. Narcolepsy Narcolepsy, a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and uncontrollable sleep, is treated primarily with stimulants.<unk>  is considered effective in increasing wakefulness, vigilance, and performance.<unk>  improves measures of somnolence on standardized tests, such as the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), but performance does not improve to levels comparable to healthy people. Other medical uses<unk>  may also be prescribed for off-label use in treatment-resistant cases of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. It can also improve depression in several groups including stroke, cancer, and HIV-positive patients. However, the use of stimulants such as<unk>  in cases of treatment-resistant depression is controversial. Stimulants may have fewer side-effects than tricyclic antidepressants in the elderly and medically ill. In individuals with terminal cancer,<unk>  can be used to counteract opioid-induced somnolence, to increase the analgesic effects of opioids, to treat depression, and to improve cognitive function. A 2018 review found low quality evidence supporting its use to treat apathy as seen in Alzheimer's Disease in addition to slight benefits for cognition and cognitive performance. Enhancing performance A 2015 review found that therapeutic doses of amphetamine and<unk>  result in modest improvements in cognition, including working memory, episodic memory, and inhibitory control, in normal healthy adults; the cognition-enhancing effects of these drugs are known to occur through the indirect activation of both dopamine receptor D1 and adrenoceptor α2 in the prefrontal cortex.<unk>  and other ADHD stimulants also improve task saliency and increase arousal. Stimulants such as amphetamine and<unk>  can improve performance on difficult and boring tasks, and are used by some students as a study and test-taking aid. Based upon studies of self-reported illicit stimulant use, performance-enhancing use rather than use as a recreational drug, is the primary reason that students use stimulants. Excessive doses of<unk> , above the therapeutic range, can interfere with working memory and cognitive control. Like amphetamine and bupropion,<unk>  increases stamina and endurance in humans primarily through reuptake inhibition of dopamine in the central nervous system. Similar to the loss of cognitive enhancement when using large amounts, large doses of<unk>  can induce side effects that impair athletic performance, such as rhabdomyolysis and hyperthermia. While literature suggests it might improve cognition, most authors agree that using the drug as a study aid when ADHD diagnosis is not present does not actually improve GPA. Moreover, it has been suggested that students who use the drug for studying may be self-medicating for potentially deeper underlying issues.
Methylphenidate
Dexmethylphenidate
Ethylphenidate
Atomoxetine
Guanfacine
Psychotherapy
Imipramine
Fluoxetine