opening straterra capsules | ADHD Information

Straterra is the only one you technically can't take them off although unless your having trouble with your kid not eating I wouldn't take them off of the meds on the weekends. Just cus school has a holiday doesn't mean ADHD takes a holiday. It is always there.As a mom of two kids with ADD and as an adult with ADD, I don't
like for any of us to go without our meds. Like MafiaKiddo says,
ADD doesn't take a holiday, and I find my kids fight more, argue
with me more, can't think of anything to do but play video games,
etc. Not that the meds are a cure-all, but they certainly make a
noticeable difference.

Hi all--

i'm a lurker/sometimes chatter- and i 've learned SO much invaluable information on these boards- not to mention the value that comes from recognition- i can't say how many times i've read of your childrens experiences and nodded: 'that's scott!'...so thanks--

i'm writing because i saw our doctor today and we were discussing scott's various meds (he does 40mg of Stratterra and 20mg of ritalin). Scott's six and CAN NOT swallow a pill- i've tried every trick in the book- so we have to do meds you can 'sprinkle'-- we've been sprinkling the stratterra for 4 months to great success.  I told her about the over riding sentiment on this board that you should not open these capsules- as you would lose the 'time release' benefit of the capsule. I also added that one contributor had been nice enough to include Ely Lilly's link stating just that: don't open the capsule. My doctor said you do not lose any time release benefits and that the reason they tell you not to sprinkle is because of the absolute NASTY taste of strattera (anyone who's tried it knows this to be TRUE!!)- she said she's talked to their sales reps about this over and over and begged them to make a more 'sprinkle' friendly product. 

At any rate- i thought i'd give you her input- she has spoken to Lilly and assures me it's fine if you can stomach the taste. It certainly has been effective for scott as a treatment.

Thanks again,

Elizabeth   

Can anyone tell me if it makes a difference if you keep your child on the meds on weekends and holidays.  I always take her off for this but does that screw up the meds and make her body have to become adjusted again everytime she starts back up?

Hi- Michelle's Mom--

YEAH, meds can make them mean! sigh but that means the meds need adjusting- ....as for the above question? ask your doc about each one-- ritalin can you can take off on weekends, holidays, et al without much effect-- stratterra no-- it's cumulative- you can't stop and start. but i would always talk to the doctor proscribing.

welcome!

elizabeth

I am not sure about that med but my daugher too does not like to swallow pills.  For a long time she was chewing up the adderall tabs at home and at lunch time at the nurses office.  The nurse was nice and would let her eat a snack to kill the taste after.  Then we started the adderall xr capsules and the doctor told us it was ok to open the capsule and sprinkle it into apple sauce.  We did this all last year.  My daughter did not take the meds during the summer and I tried not to give him to her this year but things are not going good so tomorrow she will go back on meds but after reading the message board I will want to try something else.  The adderall makes my daughter mean but I had no idea that the meds could do that to her so thanks to everyone for this message board.  I learned something that might help us.  I am not sure what meds to try but will talk to the docs.  We have been trying to get her to swallow pills and she is doing great.  Can anyone tell me if it makes a difference if you keep your child on the meds on weekends and holidays.  I always take her off for this but does that screw up the meds and make her body have to become adjusted again everytime she starts back up?