What are the most common side effects of stimulants?
Insomnia can occur, especially when medication is taken too late in the day. Immediate-release and extended-release formulations can sometimes cause mild changes in heart rate (a few beats a minute) or blood pressure (a few millimeters of mercury) for most people. It is rare that people have to stop taking the medication for that reason, but it is something to pay attention to. Another possible side effect is decreased appetite, which, in this country, is sometimes seen as a plus. Some of these drugs were actually originally used to help with weight loss. Occasionally, a little bit of anxiety, headaches, or dry mouth may occur. However, in general, stimulants are very well tolerated and show great response rates. Any medication that shows a 70% response rate in the first week is very positive. Patients can often see improvement within the first day or two.
