How often does stimulant medication need to be taken?
The effects of stimulant medication remain for as long as the dose is acting. How much and how often a person needs to take medication will depend on a number of things, including the formulation of the drug and its duration of action, the effect on the person’s symptoms and whether any unacceptable side effects occur. Short-acting stimulants usually wear off within 3 to 6 hours and therefore up to three doses a day may be needed to control symptoms. Persons who are prescribed long-acting or extended release stimulants may need only one dose a day. To determine the optimal dose, the doctor will usually monitor the person’s response to various doses over a period of time.
