What pain are you anticipating that the medications will cause?

You may wish to familiarize yourself with the side effects of the medications.  Go to Web Md or the National Institute of Medicine Website.  Your library may have a PDR, Physicians Desk Reference.  Some descriptions of side effects give more details on the side effects, than others.  PDR often has the most complete descritpion of side effects.  It is usually too time consuming for Medical Doctors to give all details of all possible side effects to their patients.

Timing and dosages are factors to be adjusted.  Missing a medication dosage as your youngster is getting out the door to catch the bus is another possible problem.  Missed meds sometimes create difficulties.

Irritability was a factor in my son's medication trial periods.  Starting meds is one phase, being on the medication regularly taking a certain dosage, adjusting dosages and timings, then withdrawing from a medication each phase has its own challenges, for that medication. 

Counseling your youngster to look for changes in his moods and outlooks may be wise.  Explaining that if someone seems unreasonable, that it may be the meds causing your youngster to think of being impolite to an unreasonable person, so to try to be extra polite to any one who might appear unreasonable.

Meds work fine for many younsgters, so a trial is probalby a good idea.  Some ADHD counselors recommend attempting to counsel, or accomodate an ADHD youngster on changing behavior and habits, before trying meds.  What habits does your youngster have that you are hoping to change with meds?  What strategies have you used to attempt to help your youngster with changing targeted habits or behaviors?

Are there any of the ADHD traits that are not a real problem for your youngster?

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