Meds and Dairy allergy | ADHD Information

I need help!  My daughter with ADHD/ODD is allergic to dairy products.  She cannot have any dairy in her diet at all.  Many medications contain lactose as a filler.  So, after doing research, I've discovered the only meds she can take are Strattera, Methylin and Metadate.  Anyone else out there have this problem?

I'd really rather have her on a short acting stim and not the Strattera simply because if she is going to have a reaction I want her on something that metabolizes quickly.  That narrows my choices to Methylin and Metadate.  But, the ped told me today that Metadate is long acting, even though online I read that it isn't.  Help!

I now have to decide which one of these I want her to take and then find out if we can get it where we live (we are American civilians overseas with access to a military hospital). 

It has not been an easy decision to make, to put her on meds, but now I feel like I should just give up and not do any at all.  Grr, I'm so frustrated.

I think a few terms should be clarrified. Metadate CD is long acting compared to immediate release ritalin or methylin. In this case, long acting means 10 hours for the Metadate CD rather than 3-4 hours for ritalin or methylin. Compared to the strattera which has to be in the system for weeks to start working.

Also, it is the active ingredient of the Strattera that needs to be in the system for a while, any fillers and other inactive ingredients in the pills will be leave much quicker. With the Metadate the release mechanism delays release into the digestive tract (then blood), so the fillers will be around that whole time (but again 1 day max).

Do not give up. Your daughter needs you to be strong and get her the best help you can. You will find help and support here through this journey.

vickie39071.4215625Daytrana should not react with a Dairy allergy, although it does contain a bit of latex. It can be removed when needed and is more versatile than a long acting pill. Concerta is long acting Ritalin, but the delivery system is also dairy free I believe.