Metadate CD | ADHD Information

My son is 4 1/2 and recently diagnosed with ADHD and has been prescibed Metadate CD.  Today is his 3rd day on the medication.  The first day, I gave him 10mg and by 2:00 pm he was running around and bouncing off the walls.  The 2nd day, I gave him the 20mg dosage.  That really didn't seem to phase him, except he was a little whinier that usual.  He didn't take a nap in the afternoon (which I didn't think he would), but he still was his same 'ol active/aggressive self.  My question is has anyone given this med to their child and if so, what are your feelings?  I know this takes time for his body to get adjusted to medications, but I was almost afraid he would appear "drugged" since he has never been on any sort of medications like this.  It was completely the opposite....in fact his appetite has increased dramatically over the past 2 days......This is all so new to me, so any advice would be welcomed!

Thanks,

Trayce

Hi Trayce

my 8 yr old son has been on metadate cd for 1 week now, the
20 mg dose. The first couple of days he was whinier/weepier
and had a definite "crash" period after the med wore off in 8 hrs.
The last few days have been very good. He has not
experienced any decrease in appetite, either; also no problems
with sleep. I am also giving him a multivitamin,Calcium and
Mg, and efas ---(I read somewhere that you will get the most
benefits from meds if the diet is nutrionally bablanced...)
I really think we need to give it about 2 weeks initially to see
what's going on.

My son's main issue is atention and focus, not hyperactivity.
So, it's difficult for us to truly tell if the med is working until
school starts.

hope this helps---good luck

Hi Tracye.......stimulant drugs should not make the child feel or look drugged. If that happens, its because the dose is too high or too low. Metadate and Ritilan are both methylphenidate and very much the same medication. When children are first put on stimulant medication, they go through a trial of meds in order to determine the right dose and the right med that the child is most responsive to. Doses given are not based on weight or age and that is why they call it a trial of meds. Good nutrition is great for every child but it will not determine how efffective the medication will be. Once it is determined what the right dose and right med is for the child, the effectivenes of the drug should be seen within 30 to 60 minutes. I recommend that you communicate with your childs doctor in terms of what you see or dont see as dosage adjustments  may have to be made for a few weeks. Below is a link that will give you more insight into ADHD and stimulant medications.

Evidence-based Medication Management for Children and Adolescents with AD/HD - CHADD Fact Sheet #3

Thank you Jaasmom and Luvmykids02.  I appreciate your input!  I'm thankful to know that other children have been whinier during the fisrt few days and it's not just my son.  I figure that he can feel that something different is going on in his body and the only way for him to relay that is by whining.  I have asked him if his tummy is hurting and so far he has said no.  His pre-school is keeping records throughout the day of any noticable changes (good or bad) so I can take them back to the doctor next week.

Jaasmom.....please keep me posted on how your son is doing on the medication.  I know your child has trouble with focusing and attention....my son is the same, but he is also extremely hyper.  I am hoping this medication will subside some of that so he can do things by thinking first before he acts.  He is really bad about running out of class when he should be seated and other teachers have to track him down and take him back to class......only to have him do it 5 minutes later.

Thanks again!