A.d.d - Saint Michael,MN

Have you asked your son's neurologist about a 24-hour medication? They're not actually/strictly 24 hours. It depends on how the body metabolizes the medication and what the half-life is. If you don't want him to take meds twice a day, there's a longer acting formula for a few different medications.

For instance, my eldest daughter takes Concerta for her ADHD. She takes the long acting formula but she can't take it after 10:30 AM or she needs a dose of melatonin that night. If she takes it at 7:30 AM she feels it wearing off around 6:30-7:00 PM which means she has to make sure her homework is finished by then.

You have to remember that these are controlled substances, and they're serious medications. The medications MUST be more for the child's benefit than for ours. You MUST talk about this with your child's doctor. If you don't have a pediatric neurologist that specializes in ADHD, ADD, and other neurological behavioral disorders then you should get one. They know these medications inside and out and will insist on frequent check-ups where they give the child a quick physical every 1-to-3 months to make sure the medication and dosages are appropriate. They will be a hands on doctor. You don't want a doctor that will simply prescribe something because you requested it.

I have never heard of a 24 hour version of ADHD medication. It seems to me that could be a problem because it could really disrupt sleep. I would definitely not research this one online and instead talk to your son's specialist and pharmacist for professional insights into this version.

So glad you found the medication that works for him! It really can improve a child's quality of life so dramatically. It really is one of the great myths that kids will somehow lose their personalities on medication. If anything, it has allowed our son to shine even more.

I have heard they have a patch, which I assume is the 24 hour you speak of but never tried it.

I use Adderall as does three of my four kids though the older two only take it when they need it since they are adults. Anyway, the personalty part is interesting, my older two were on Ritalin when they were younger and that was their chief complaint, I am just not myself on it. I am not funny, I am flat. Adderall doesn't do that. I have heard some don't react well to it at all, like rages, but if you don't get the rages I think it is the best med out there.

my 12 yr old takes Concerta in the mornings for his ADHD. Its out of his system by 5-6. Some days it takes its toll on the family with his constant redirection and bouncing off of the walls... but I also like the fact that it is out of his system daily. We just make sure anything important is done right after school and deal with the rest as it comes. It does suppress his appetite during the day so I also like that it is out of his system by dinner time so he eats a good meal daily instead of just picking at his food during the day. I also like the fact that if he misses a day it doesn't matter, it will work the next day. ( He doesn't take any during the summer or on weekends)

My 16 yr old is on Stratera for ADD. It causes him to be tired so he takes it at bedtime, but it is in his system 24 hours... it has to build up in his system to work. I don't like that if he misses a night, it takes a couple of days to work full affect again. But I do like that he is on task all day and night. I also like that it doesn't affect his sleep if he takes it later in the morning and it doesn't affect his eating.

I guess both kinds have their ups and downs... you have to go with what works best with your family and talk to your Dr about your child and what will work best for him. Some times its about trial and error... we had to change both boys doses and brands of meds a few times until we found what worked best for both of them.

I don't know that a 24 hour version of ADD/ADHD medication would be a good idea since it suppresses appetite and disrupts sleep. Some parents have had to back off of this medication when their kids are not in school just so their kids could gain weight and grow normally. Your doctor is the one to talk to about this.

My husband was on it for a period of time as a kid. I am sure his parents also liked how it changed his behavior. HE did NOT like it. He said it made him feel "altered", "drugged", "fuzzy" . As an adult, he REFUSES to take anything for his ADD except an anxiety medication.