Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of ADHD out here in California, but those patients that we've seen on it have done well. Typically it is prescribed to patients who have not responded to Ritalin very well. It has the advantage of having a very nice long-lasting product (one dose per day). Usually it will not be prescribed to teenagers, or to individuals with a history of substance abuse. It can have retail value in the high school parking lot, and can be misused and abused.
Cylert (Sodium Pemoline)
Cylert seems to be prescribed most by neurologists and by the few pediatricians who are afraid to prescribe Ritalin.
We don't recommend Cylert at all, and wonder why anyone actually prescribes it at all any more. It only works about half the time with patients, and can have very serious side-effects. We have been told that it causes hepatitis in 1/1000 of patients. We cannot verify this, but it's good enough for us to not recommend it to patients anyway. Even the manufacturer recommends against it as the first medication tried in treating Attention Deficit Disorder.
Besides Attend works as well or better and is much healthier and safer, so why mess with a medication that can cause such serious problems?
ADDerall
Adderall is no longer a "new" drug in the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder. The patients that we know who have tried it really have come to like it.
It is a "cocktail" drug, or a mixture of four drugs, all from the amphetamine family. As a result it has a broad spectrum of symptom coverage. It also tends to last for about six hours per dose, so it can cover the entire school day. It can be less "harsh" than Ritalin. ADDerall might be worth talking to your doctor about as either the first or second medication to try.
ADDerall tablets come in 5, 10, 20, and 30 mg doses offering great flexibility to a physician in targeting the optimum dose for any patient. Even greater flexibility is offered because the tablets are double-scored so they can be accurately split into halves or quarters. This means that ADDerall can be administered in increments as low as 1.25 mg, or adjusted in 1.25 mg increments.
ADDerall begins to work more gradually than Ritalin, or Dexedrine, and the "drop-off" slope is also much more gradual, meaning that there is less of a "trough" time at the end of the dose.
You can learn more about ADHD and the various treatment options for it at the ADHD Information Library.
Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
Important Pointers When Parenting A Adhd Child
Parenting a ADHD child can be a bit of a rollercoaster ride emotionally. ADHD children can be funny, inspirational creative, and gifted in lots of ways, as well as having challenging behaviors.
A Dialogue with an ADHD Non-Believer
Dear Sir,
It was with some interest that I read the article What You Should Know About Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward W. after having it handed to me by a member of our church.
ADHD: A Dialogue With a Non-Believer, part two
Dear Sir,
It was with some interest that I read the article What You Should Know About Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward W. after having it handed to me by a member of our church.
How Effective Are Ritalin and Dexedrine in Treating the Symptoms of ADHD?
Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant medication, such as Ritalin and Dexedrine in their various forms, in treating the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders in children, teens, and adults. Even though stimulants are not the only effective option in the treatment of the disorder, stimulants may be a good choice, and their use should be discussed with your physician.
Intro to Medications for ADD ADHD
The most common medications used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are stimulant medications. Anti-depressant medications, and even anti-convulsant medications, are sometimes used as well, though this is less common.
Food and ADHD are you at Choice
Food and ADHD
ADHD and Depression -- More Common Than Thought
"Thanks for Noticin' Me" says Eeyore. He walks slowly.
Adult Attention Deficit Disorder
Attention Deficit Disorder tends to focus predominately on children, leaving the ADD adult largely under served. Most of the information presented about Attention Deficit Disorder focuses on children, parenting and school issues.
Introduction To Adhd In Young Child - How To Deal With ADHD Child
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also called ?Hyperkinetic Syndrome? in many areas of the world, and on average ADHD is found more commonly in young children than in adults.
Diagnose And Understand The Symptoms Of Attention Deficit Disorder
Millions of children throughout the United States suffer from attention deficit disorder in one form or another. Symptoms of this problem include impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, and inability to pay attention for long periods of time. You may also hear this chronic disorder referred to as ADD or ADHD. It can continue on into adulthood, causing problems with daily life, poor self esteem, trouble interaction, and bad performance in work or school.
ADHD; A life saver
Studying the characteristics of ADHD; one would have to say that it might not be a negative trait at all. As a matter of fact squirrels and other fidgety creatures are able to stay more alert and not get eaten by predators as often as other critters.
ADHD: Pay Attention, Now
Over the past quarter century, the numbers of those diagnosed with ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) has increased dramatically. More sophisticated diagnostic tools and social acceptance of the malady may be a partial explanation.
The Most Innovative New Approach for ADHD, a Natural Remedy
What's new and effective in the treatment of Attention problems? A powerful intervention that is clinically tested with computerized testing, not merely parent reports, has been available to the public since 1997, but is little known.
It is an over the counter product that contains specific Amino Acid combinations, Essential Fatty Acids, Phospholipid complexes, and Homeopathic Medicines.
New Website, OurChildrensHealth.com, Offers Free Half Hour Consult and Expert Advice about Drug-free Treatment for ADHD, Obesity, Asthma and Allergies
Dr. Laura Thompson, pioneer health educator, author and speaker offers free nutritional counseling to parents of children and teens with ADD, ADHD, autism, asthma, allergies, vaccine injury, obesity, stress, depression and behavioral problems.
Intelligence in Adults with ADHD
In our society high intelligence is often perceived as a positive characteristic in a person; and that which leads to greater successes in life. However, for an intelligent/gifted adult with ADHD (gaining recognition as more the norm) that positive characteristic can actually be a weakness when the ADHD is not treated.