ADHD Treatment Beyond Stimulants: The Science of Non-Stimulant Medications

In this video, Dr Sanil Rege, consultant psychiatrist, explores ADHD treatment beyond stimulants, examining why stimulant response often fades and how overreliance on dopamine surges can create long-term challenges. He outlines the shift from short-term focus enhancement to sustainable attention regulation through tonic dopamine balance. Dr Rege discusses key agents such as atomoxetine, bupropion, guanfacine, clonidine, and emerging compounds including solriamfetol and centanafadine, explaining how these medications stabilise attention, mood, and sleep by working with the brain’s natural rhythms.

Building on the neuroscience of ADHD treatment, Dr Rege differentiates between phasic and tonic dopamine systems to show how non-stimulant medications achieve steady cognitive and emotional control. He highlights clinical applications across presentations with anxiety, sleep disturbance, or fatigue, emphasising a personalised, neurobiological approach to long-term ADHD management. This video provides clinicians with practical insight into the pharmacological mechanisms, patient selection, and nuanced prescribing strategies essential for sustainable outcomes in ADHD care.