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3855 Trueman Court | Hilliard, Ohio | 43026
Hilliard Pediatrics, Inc. - Dr. Tim Teller, MD
Prescription medications are very useful in the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). They can help a child with ADD improve on their educational and social successes. No medicine or treatment can cure ADD. However, medications can greatly reduce the troublesome symptoms of ADD such that a child may better reach their potential.
The most commonly used medications for ADD/ADHD are stimulants. These include Concerta®, Metadate CD®, Ritalin®, Quillivant XR, and Daytrana® (methylphenidate), Focalin® and Focalin XR® (dexmethylphenidate), Adderall® and Adderall XR® (mixed-salts of an amphetamine), and Vyvanse® (amphetamine). They are believed to work in those with ADD/ADHD by stimulating the area of the brain that controls attention span and impulsiveness. Each of these medicines will begin working quickly (usually within the first week) once the right dose is found for your child (this can vary, independent of age and size). With each of these medications, there is a 7 or 8 out of 10 chance that a child will improve, a less than 2 out of 10 chance that a child will show no change, and a less than 1 in 10 chance that your child will worsen. If one of these medications is not helping, often a different stimulant will help. These medications are likely to work well with children with or without hyperactive/impulse problems.
In children, the stimulants' major side effects are loss of appetite, problems going to sleep, headaches, and stomachaches. Each of these occurs in only a small number of children and tend to improve the longer one takes the medication. Upon starting the medicine, the average child will actually lose approximately 2 pounds of weight before regaining that weight and thereafter growing normally. Children who are taking too much stimulant medicine are often irritable, sleepy, and dazed. Some children have a "rebound" effect for 1-2 hours when the medication wears off. During this time they may be very active, irritable, and difficult to get along with. Often these children improve with an added dose before their rebound time occurs (note: the newer longer-acting medications are less likely to cause a rebound effect). In children with tics or children predisposed to tics or Tourette's syndrome, stimulants may make this condition worse. Only a few children on stimulants will have their growth slowed by the medicine. Most children taking a stimulant will grow normally. Those that do are likely going to be about 3/4 of an inch shorter than without the stimulants. If a child's growth is being effected, we will discuss ways of decreasing this effect.
All of these medications are controlled medications. A written prescription is required each month. This requires that you call our office during regular office hours Monday through Friday when you have just a few days left of medicine. We will then refill and electronically send the prescription to the pharmacy. Sometimes the need for a refill will fall on the date of a visit to the office (check-up or ADD/ADHD follow-up). If so, we will write the prescription(s) then. As much as possible, your primary care provider will be refilling the medication.
A few notes about controlled medications. We are required by law to periodically check a state-wide database of controlled prescriptions filled for that child. Controlled medications, by law, cannot be called into the pharmacy (even in an emergency).
Strattera® (atomoxetine) is a non-stimulant medication that works in similar ways to the stimulant medications. Although the medication is not a stimulant, the positive and possible side effects are essentially the same as with the stimulants. Strattera® takes 2 weeks to begin working in your system to control the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. For children switching to Strattera® from a stimulant, we generally recommend that the child take BOTH medications for the first two weeks. After the first two weeks, they stop the stimulant and continue Strattera® thereafter. For children not being treated with a stimulant, we simply begin the Strattera® and should expect to see improvement with the child’s ADD/ADHD symptoms in 2 weeks. Strattera is not a controlled medication, therefore refills can be written on the prescription and sent to the pharmacy. Strattera® is a good option for children with ADD/ADHD.
Intuniv® is an extended-release form of guanfacine, a medication that has been available for years. This medication treats ADD/ADHD symptoms, but it is most effective for children with ADD/ADHD who are particularly disruptive, difficult to deal with, who argue with others frequently, and with temper outbursts. The dose is based on the weight, is taken once a day, and can take as long as 2 weeks to begin working.
This medication has three major uses for children with ADHD. First, it can be added to the stimulants if a child's hyperactivity and impulse control problems are not helped by the stimulants alone. This is especially true with children with oppositional-defiant disorder or similar symptoms. Secondly, it is used as a bedtime- only medicine in some children with ADD/ADHD if they are not falling asleep well. Clonidine is available as 0.1 and 0.2mg tablet. It is typically dosed at 1/2 - 1 tablet at bedtime only. Thirdly, it can used as the only treatment for ADHD. It is available as a long-acting medication called Kapvay®. It is taken once or twice daily.
When a child does not respond to the stimulant medications, Strattera®, Intuniv®, or Kapvay®, the next groups of medicines used are the antidepressants. There is a 5 out of 10 chance that someone with ADD will improve on antidepressants. Impulse control and hyperactivity are the symptoms most likely to improve. These medicines typically only have to be taken once a day. These medicines typically take 2-4 weeks to begin taking effect. There are more side effects from antidepressants.
The easy answer is "when they are needed". No two children with ADD/ADHD are alike. Some children take their medicine just on school days, while others take their medicine every day. Some children take their medicine just once in the morning, while others take medicine every 3-5 hours throughout the day. Some children never seem to have any side effects from the medicine, while others need many adjustments in theirs because of side effects. Many children will only require the medicine during the school year, while taking a "medicine vacation" during summer vacation, spring break, and holiday (winter) break. Most children will have less symptoms of ADD/ADHD as they grow older. For every three children with ADD/ADHD, one will have essentially "grown out of it" by the time they are in middle school. Another one of those three will have by the time they finish high school. Below is a set of guidelines that may help you understand how adjustments are made for each child. Also included is information about how side effects are handled.
On a daily basis, the stimulant medications are all taken with breakfast. Any further daily doses are given later in the day depending on when they are needed. Strattera should be generally be taken with the largest meal of the day (for most children, dinner) to lessen how likely the medication is to cause an upset stomach. We will discuss with you when to take any other medications.
Last Updated: 06/2019