Dexedrine, Cylert, and Adderall in the Treatment of ADHD

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.

---

Adderall and Its Side-Effects

Adderall is a stimulant medication used in the treatment of... Read More

Is Your Behavioural Change Strategy Working?

'How can I start getting my children to help out... Read More

Whats in a Name?

My cousin boasts five names and I confess that when... Read More

Non-Compliance in Your Children, Some Tips for Parents

Non-compliance is the family therapist's big word for your child... Read More

How Children Can Read Faster and Better

For most children, it is easy to learn to read... Read More

How Do You Find the Best Car Seat to Protect Your Child

Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More

Helping Your Child Make and Keep Friends

What Children Look for in a Friend?Is this child fun... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: The Teenager and the Gorilla

Q: A parent writes in to ask, "You write a... Read More

Child Separation Anxiety: Does Your Child Have It?

If you are a parent, then more than likely you... Read More

Help! My Kids Dont Listen to Me

Does this sound familiar? Have your kids not listened to... Read More

Raising a Self-Sufficient Teen

Teens don't learn responsibility overnight. If you haven't been working... Read More

Confident Kids : Why Some Parents Should Carry a Health Warning

As a hypnotherapist, I am acutely aware of the power... Read More

Sanity Savers For Busy Mums Page

Question 1 "How do I get more time to play?"... Read More

Childhood Obesity

Economist John Kenneth Galbraith has said that more people die... Read More

Is Your Teen Swamped with Homework and Tests?

I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More

What Do Chinese Water Torture and Arguing with Children Have in Common?

Imagine yourself lying flat on your back, totally strapped down... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: The Trust Issue

Q. How do we decide what our teens should be... Read More

Parents Rights Violated By Public School Compulsory Attendence Laws

Compulsory attendance laws are school authorities' first assault on parental... Read More

Coping With Colic

Quite simply, an absolute nightmare for parents and babies alike,... Read More

The B Word

Former students would probably attest to the fact that few... Read More

Son, Can I Use The Car Tonight?

I recall somewhere in the recesses of my aging brain... Read More

Teaching Reading: Part 3, Whole Language Vs. Phonics

There are two methods for teaching children to read; whole... Read More

Dexedrine, Cylert, and Adderall in the Treatment of ADHD

Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More

Four Tips For Alleviating Back To School Anxiety

Back to school preparations are in full-swing. Soon, the first... Read More

Send the Kids Outside!

Think back to your own childhood. Chances are, some of... Read More