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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)

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Adderall and ADD

Answered by

Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention

Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates

This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development

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MedHelp Member's Question

Adderall and ADD

by Cecelia66, Nov 26, 2002 12:00AM

Tags: child, Behavior Management, Child Disipline, child behavior

My son has ADD (not ADHD) and he was on Concerta 36mg and it seemed to not be working so we just switched him to Adderall. He is 12 yrs old 5ft4in and 170 lbs, the doctor put him on 5mg once a day on Nov 1st and it's Nov 26th and I feel like I'm losing my mind again, it's like he's on nothing. I've read different postings and it looks like it should've been increased already. what do you think? Thank you.

Doctor's Answer

by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.

, Nov 26, 2002 12:00AM

Yes, sufficient time has elapsed to draw conclusions about the benefit of the 5 mg dose. The prescriber will likely increase to 10 mg and perhaps do so twice a day instead of once. It is certainly reasonable to request an adjustment in the medication.

Member Comments (7)

by Cecelia66, Nov 26, 2002 12:00AM

Thank you, I have a call into the doctor now. One thing I forgot to ask was whether or not he needed to take the Adderall on the weekends, etc. With the Concerta, I understood it to be a instant release type of medicine and not a "work-up-to-it" kind of medication. But the way I understand Adderall, it's more like zoloft in that you build up a level and need to keep it constant. I took zoloft for a while, and when I tried to "ween" myself off of it, I got really sick/weird and had to decrease it very very slowly. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the drug, but I don't want him to go through the feelings I went through. Thank you again.

by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.

, Nov 26, 2002 12:00AM

No, he can take the Adderall only on school days if you wish. It is entirely metabolized, just as the Concerta is.

by ewine, Dec 17, 2002 12:00AM

To: Adderrall

Okay I see what the doc here is saying but I am confused about Adderall,

My son was diagnosed with ADHD a couple of weeks ago. We did aderrall 10mg, time released caplets for 9 days. He has totally gone wierd on me. He is now talking about killing himself and he feels he has no self worth. His temper tantrums are driving me nuts, I don't know what to do, I am pulling my hair out. So I went back and told the doctor of these symptoms and she suggested I increase the dosage, well the 10 mg for a 6 year old for school I think should be fine. I am just wondering why is he having such and emotional unstability problem right now.

We took him off as of this past friday Dec 13. He will now try Dexadrine, I am not sure of the side effects of this either I am really skeptical about this. If you have any information insight please help me...I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I am a single parent and this has been going on for way toooo long.

Thanks,

by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.

, Dec 17, 2002 12:00AM

While all the stimulant medications are in the class of drugs called amphetamines, a child will not always respond in the same fashion to each of the medications. In other words, one medication may be useful while another one may not be, and one medication might produce some side effect while another may not. The decision to try an alternative to Adderall makes sense, in light of your son's response. What you're trying to achieve is a medication that brings about the desired clinical impact without bothersome side effects.

by Dani-B, Jan 02, 2003 12:00AM

To: ewine

Dont be confused about Adderall, just get him on a new med.!!! My son was also switched to Adderall, & went "weird" on me too did the exact same thing!! I later saw a news program on t.v. about Adderall & it's psychotic side effects! in one of the stories, the gentelman actually shot his wife & infant & tried to kill himself! & Like my son, had no recollection of it when all was said & done!!!!!! & also like myself, the Dr. never told this gentelman about this horrible side effect!

by heidileah19, Apr 07, 2003 12:00AM

OK my sister has been wanting to take my little brothers adderall and she does not have add, what will the effects be rather than calming her down? thanks.

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