When it comes to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment. Research shows that stimulant medication, either alone or with behavioral therapy, is the most effective treatment for ADHD symptoms.
But there are many different medications to treat ADHD, and finding the exact formula and dosage for your child can take detective work.
Your doctor can help find that perfect balance with a process called titration. She’ll prescribe your child a low dose of a medicine, then increase it little by little until your child gets the greatest benefit with the least amount of side effects.
Titration can take several weeks, and as a parent you’ll play an important role in watching the drug’s effects so the right changes can be made.
Because matching the right medicine to the right child is an inexact science, don’t be discouraged if the first medicine your child takes is not to be the right fit. His doctor may try titration with two or three different types of medicine before finding the best match.
How Titration Works
Once your doctor chooses a medication for your child to try first, she’ll prescribe a fairly low dose and increase it a little bit every 3 to 7 days. You and your child’s teacher will be asked to keep track of how the ADHD symptoms change, and note any possible side effects or changes in behavior.
Side Effects
Most of the side effects from these medications last for a short time, while your child adjusts to the drug.
Sleeping problems, loss of appetite, and not socializing are common. These often go away after a few weeks, so your doctor may encourage you to wait it out and see if they get better on their own. If they don’t, your doctor can adjust the dosage or change the medication.
Less common but more serious side effects can include hallucinations, tics, and depression. If your child goes through anything that alarms you, stop the medication immediately and call your doctor.
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Timing Matters
You may want to start the trial period during the weekend or over a school break so you can keep a close eye on your child for the first few days he’s on a new ADHD medication.
The trial period may also be used to figure out the best time to take the medicine. This depends on your child’s age and needs. For example, a younger child may need to take the medicine in the morning so he can focus throughout the school day, and a teenager may need a stronger dose later in the afternoon to get through his homework or to focus clearly while he drives home from school or from a part-time job.
Needs Can Change
What works at first may not continue to over time. Watch your child for symptoms and side effects as he grows and his schedule and lifestyle change. Check in with the doctor every 3 months or so to make sure your child is still on the right treatment.