ADD - ADD / ADHD Message Board

bluegrassbabe · 03-31-2003, 05:10 PM

My daughter has been diagnosed w/ ADD, passive. She has been put on strattera. All of the meds for ADD come in capsules. She can not swallow the capsule, so we take the powder and mix it w/ yogurt, which tastes disgusting. Everything we've tried tastes nasty.

This is my question- if I switch her to adderal can I take the capsule and break it, mixing the contents w/ something to make it easier for her to take. (the tiny beads have no taste) B/c it is time released, I am scared to do this. The pharmacist says NO, the Dr. says YES. Has anyone tried this and been successful? PLEASE! I need help. I have seen great benefits from the meds, but I can't handle forcing it down her throat and I'm afraid she is going to start hating me for it.

miteebabe · 04-01-2003, 01:32 PM

bluegrass babe, I am on adderall XR and though I have never broken the capsule, my friend's mom, who is also on it, does. I think as long as ALL those little beads get into your daughter's mouth she is fine. Since it is time released, though, make sure you poor the entire capsule into her food, drink, etc. With XR, there are 2 little compartments to each capsule. When a pill is swallowed, the first half of the capsule is released into the child (or whoever) during the first part of the day, and the second half is released later on when the first part is wearing off. So make SURE to empty both compartments into her food. I hope I have helped you some???

mlgable · 04-01-2003, 04:41 PM

You cannot open timed released capsules and mix them with food. If you do this you will not get the even results that you see with time released capsules. As for the Strattera capsules I would put them whole in yogurt about 10 minutes before you want her to take it and that will soften up the capsule enough so that it is very jelly like and easy to swallow with the yogurt. The general rule is that time released forms of meds as well as any medication that is ecteric (candy coated) coated may not be crushed or opened.

mstreye · 04-01-2003, 05:33 PM

We open the adderal capsule and pour the contents onto a spoon of vanilla ice cream. My daughter loves it and doesn't give us any trouble if taken that way. Might be an option for you.

------------------
Have a Blessed Day! 3 John 2