adderall - ADD / ADHD Message Board

tessesa · 11-25-2003, 03:46 PM

I have a 9 year old daughter who has been on adderall XR for about a month. When the dr. gave us the RX he told us she could take between 1 - 6 (5 mg tabs) in the morning. He said you will just have to see what is right for her. Well how do I know what is right? I gave her 1 pill for a week and she seemed the same, then I have been giving her 2 in the morning and she seems more focused, like she comes home and does her homework with out being told. She does not have any of the side effects that I have read about. Should I assume that the 2 pills in the morning is enough? She is not hyper, just seemed to always be "somewhere else". I was not thrilled with the psych. that I took her to so I don't want to go back to him again. Does weight have anything to do with the mg. you should take? :

Palms1 · 11-25-2003, 04:09 PM

No, these stimulant meds are not based on weight. Some kids need a total of 20 mg or more while others do fine on 10 mg. It is true that doctors often tell patients to experiment until they see a change. Mine told me the same. Did you ever get complaints from school? Teachers usually observe immediately if a change takes place. So if you are in doubt, just ask the teacher. If you see a change with her homework habits now, than I guess you have reached the correct dose. So when you go to the doctors next time, he can prescribe the 10 mg pills for your daughter.

tessesa · 11-25-2003, 04:20 PM

I have had complaints from her school ever since she started, just compalints that she did not pay attention and needed things repeated to her alot. I have not told the school that I have put her on this medication because I just want to see what they say at my next meeting, which is in January. I will ask for the 10mg on her next visit, but we have 150 of the other pills to go thru first! Thanks for your reply.

sosxyalmostevil · 11-28-2003, 11:09 PM

I am 15 years old and was on adderall for a period of 1 month and absolutely hated it. I was extremely moody and did not notice any form of help with concentration. I then switched to Concerta and love it. Each medication is very different and there is one out there for everyone.