Why it's critical for parents to adjust schedules, dosages or prescriptions to find a solution.
Weight matters ADHD medications and appetite disruption often go hand in hand. "The main group of medications used to treat ADHD are called psycho-stimulants," says Larry B. Silver, M.D., a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. "These drugs, methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextro-amphetamine (Dexadrine), and mixed dextro- and levo-amphetamine (Adderall), can cause a loss of appetite, which may lead to weight loss if the medication is continued." But the effects needn't be extreme, especially if monitored by a physician and handled with understanding by parents.
Tip: If your child experiences more than a 10% weight loss, his medication dose may need to be adjusted or the regimen changed entirely. You may try several medications before finding the one without adverse reactions.
Numerous studies have shown that decreased appetite generally tapers off over the first several weeks of a medication regimen. Observe your child's eating patterns, try to get him to eat a good breakfast, and accept the fact that lunchtime may not be his hungry time. Feed your child nutrient-dense foods to pack a lot of nutritional value into a single serving, in case he doesn't eat as much at midday.
Meds adjustment
If your child experiences more than a 10% weight loss over a few weeks, his medication dose may need to be adjusted or the regimen changed entirely. As with any medication, the side effects of stimulants vary by child. Not all children will lose weight, and some will have to try several medications before finding the one that provides benefits without adverse reactions.
"For patients who don't tolerate amphetamine-based stimulants well, there are alternatives, such as the slower-acting Strattera," says Dr. Lisa Routh, director of medical health at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Often, the slower-acting drugs are better for kids. "Appetite suppression is still an issue with the amphetamine derivatives; however, longer-acting drugs seem to have a milder effect on appetite," says Dr. Routh.
When dealing with my daughter's ups and downs, I sometimes felt more like a pharmacist than a mother when it came to monitoring medications and the resulting weight changes she experienced. Staying open to new options, and being patient with the current regimen of medication, is how we all survived.
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Posted By: Jeni Fa
Thursday, July 10th 2014 at 10:28AM
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