As a person ages, what typically happens to the dose of ADHD medications?

As individuals age, especially when it comes to ADHD medications, the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these drugs can change. However, it is often observed that the same dose that has been effective in younger populations can continue to be effective as they transition into older age. This is because the underlying neurobiological mechanisms associated with ADHD symptoms may not cease or diminish simply due to age.

In many cases, the goal of treatment is to maintain effective management of symptoms while monitoring for any side effects or changes in the individual's health status. While some older adults may become more sensitive to medications, leading to potential adjustments, the core ADHD symptoms typically persist, and thus, previously effective dosages can still provide benefit.

This understanding aligns with the clinical practice of carefully evaluating and adjusting medications based on individual response rather than a standardized approach of increasing or decreasing doses solely based on age.