Adderall XR

My son was taking 30 mg. Adderall XR for 3 months, and then it didn’t work as well so his doctor increased the dose. Two weeks later he was up to 50 mg. Adderall XR, but by then it was the same as if he wasn’t taking any medication. His pediatrician was willing to put him on 60 mg., so apparently it’s not too much.

We didn’t try 60 mg. because the longer he took XR the less effect it seemed to have. Maybe he built up a tolerance for it. He is using 30 mg. regular Adderall now, with an early and late afternoon dose to keep it around 30 mg. and is doing much better.

Glad you found something that works! Good luck to you and your son.

Thank you very much! That makes me feel much better about it. I really appreciate the reply.

Sharon

I heard a theory this drug causes growth retardation. Someone can they confirm ?? Thanks.

This level of dosage is probably considered off label. This basicly means that the studies are inconclusive on whether or not this dosage is safe for all children. Drug companies have to protect themselves from lawsuits so the doctor by prescribing this dosage has put himself out there. It is not highly unusual to see medications of many types prescribed off label. Drug companies will set the dosage limits fairly conservative to protect themselves from lawsuits.

I would take a good look at the information that came with the medication especially the part about side effects. There is a increased risk of side effects at higher dosage levels. Your doctor should have went over this with you.

I would especially watch for tics that may seem benign at first. Call your doctor immediately if they develop as there have been cases where they become irreversible.

I would also suggest that you look at other methods that help ADHD kids such as interactive metronome or neurofeedback. Medication is one answer but it is not the only answer. My son’s IM therapist said that some kids who were borderline ADHD did not need meds after IM. Also, others were able to have their dosages reduced who were already medicated. The studies bear this out as well.

Full disclosure: I am someone who believes meds have their place but that all avenues should be considered.

That was a potential side effect found with Ritalin and is probably true for other stimulants. Careful management by an MD will keep track of the child’s weight to make sure he/she is gaining enough. Some MD’s will give the child a “holiday” from meds. to catch up growth over the summer or suggest no meds on weekends(research has shown that kids do catch up to within something like 1/2 inch of what would normally be expected). The child can eat a good breakfast before taking the meds if appetite supression is a problem. Also, reducing the dosage may help. Russell Barkley published research in this area.

My son has been on Adderall XR since he was 6 and he is 11 now. Before he went on meds he ws in the 60th percentile for height and the 35th for weight. He is now in the 65th percentile for height and the 30th for weight. I wouldn’t call this growth retardation because he has remained consistent.

He was put on a medication holiday this summer due to lack of growth for 6 months but did not grow during the summer even off meds, and though ate considerably more he only gained 2 pounds. Last week I had to buy him a new wardrobe because (as most kids do) he went through a growth spurt, off meds.

He sees the pediatrician every 6 months or his prescription will not be written. When he was born he was 4 weeks earlt at 6lbs 7oz and 21in but was seen weekly until 6 months due to a failure to gain weight the way he was expected to. Eventually they looked at his 6 foot 4 inch, 175 pound father and realized it was GENETICS. A 5 foot 5 inch high school senior could be that height because he/she has petite parents and not because he/she is on stimulant medication.

Correct me if im wrong, but if a child is put on a med and it causes problems enough to put them on holiday from the med then why would you even consider putting them back on the meds????
Not sure that is a safe medical practice, especially with a mental health stimulant like adderall and its other drug relations such as ritalin.
If a child can cope without the meds for a holiday period then im sure we as parents can help them cope without the drug at all, if not then a therapist. Remember there are safe alternatives.
ADD, or ADHD arent new illnesses.

Sharon-My almost 13 year old son is on 40 mg.Adderral XR and a new dr. we are trying does not think it is working as well as she would like .But she is afraid to try a higher dose.I may tell her that your son is on a higher dose.
Does he have any trouble with appetite or insomnia?
How long do you feel the Adderral lasts?The new dr. is considering dividing the 40 mg.dose at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Anne B.