My 8 year old son will be starting 10mg tomorrow and just wondering if anyone has had any good luck with Metadate? I always get worried about starting new meds.
Thanks for any info!
Marie
Mom to Anthony ASD, ADHD, OCD
Metadate is a reformulation of Ritilan. The response to stimulant medication is very individual. There is not one better than the other. That is why the patient goes through a trial of medications to find the right medication and the right dose for the individual person. Some patients have great results with Metadate but thensome don't.
Its normal to worry about new medications no matter what medication it is but just have your child take it as prescribed, observe his behavior and keep communication open with the prescribing doctor. For most patients who are starting a trial of meds, adjustment in doses have to be made or a change of meds hav e to be made until the right fit is found for the patient Good luck and let us know how things are going Below is some information that you may find very valuable.
Treatment for AD/HD
Properly treating children and teens with AD/HD includes medical, educational and behavioral treatments. The term for this combination of treatments is multimodal treatment.
Part of the treatment is teaching the parents and the child about AD/HD. Parents will learn how to manage the child's behavior, about medications and other therapies, and how to get the school programs the child needs.
Treatment should be based on the unique needs of each child and family. Multimodal treatment is usually thought to be the best treatment plan.
The Role of Medication
For most children and teens, the medication prescribed by a doctor is an important part of AD/HD treatment. Medications are not used to control behavior. Instead, they are used to make the symptoms of AD/HD better.
Starting Medication
The child, the family, and the medical professional should work together to decide on a treatment plan. If medication is used, the doctor prescribes it. If the first medication is not helpful or has unacceptable side effects, the doctor will probably change the dose or try another medication.
Stimulant Medications
Stimulant medications are medications that stimulate the frontal parts of the brain that are not filtering out distractions as well as they should. The three most common types of stimulants used to treat AD/HD are methylphenidate (brand names: Concerta and Ritalin) amphetamine (brand name: Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (brand name: Dexadrine).
Between 70 percent and 80 percent of children with AD/HD do well with these medications. Their symptoms lessen. But the right medication and the right dose must be found for each individual.
Nonstimulant Medications
Some people do just as well or better by taking medications that are not stimulants. Nonstimulants are often used when people do not do well on stimulants. A new medication (called Strattera) is specifically for AD/HD. It is not a stimulant, but it also helps with inattention and with hyperactive and impulsive symptoms of AD/HD.
Antidepressant medications are sometimes used for AD/HD, but not as often, to help with hyperactivity, anxiety or serious sleeping problems. Common antidepressants are Prozac, Zoloft, and Celexa.
Possible Side Effects of Medications for AD/HD
Most of the side effects of stimulant medication and Strattera when first using AD/HD medications are mild and may not last long. The most common side effects are loss of appetite, headache, stomachache, and sleeping problems. The doctor usually can help manage these
side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long does it take to find the right individual dose of medication?
A. The effects of a stimulant medication usually can be seen in 30 to 60 minutes, but finding the right dose and schedule for taking it may take a few weeks. Nonstimulant medications often need several weeks before they fully work.
Q. As my child grows, will the dosage need to be changed?
A. Not necessarily. Many teens and adults continue to do well on the same doses of stimulant medication. But others may need a higher dose.
Q. Will my child need to take medication forever, even into adulthood?
A. These medications can be stopped at any time. However, AD/HD is an ongoing (or chronic) condition. However, about one-third of people who have AD/HD as children seem to outgrow the symptoms. People will have different long-term experiences and may find they need to take medication into adulthood.
Q. Should medication be taken only when my child is in school?
A. Talk to your doctor about this. Medication taken outside of school can help children get along with friends, avoid symptoms when at home, and pay attention while doing homework or at activities like sports.
Q. Are children who take stimulant medications more likely to have substance abuse problems later in life?
A. No. Many studies of children with AD/HD have found that using stimulant medications under a doctor's care does not increase the risk of later substance abuse. In fact, many studies have shown that children and teens with AD/HD not treated with stimulant medications can have a higher risk of abusing illegal drugs.
Medication Chart
See our chart on Medications used in the treatment of AD/HD.
we've used many different meds with my daughter. Last fall we switched to Strattera and she did fairly well. Just not quite well enough. So about 6 weeks ago we added Metadate ER. It's an older med and the docotr felt worth a shot. This is ot the newer formulation Metadte CD whcih is more popular I believe. I got to the pharmacy and they actually now use a generic Methylin ER. WE LOVE IT. It is working very well with no side effects, for dd. As luvmykids says though every med is different and our experience is ours alone, but we ARE having success with Methylin ER.I found Ritilan to act on me like many cups of strong coffee. It works for me with within an hour and dies several hrs later.
I can not say how it will react on your child. I suggest you try the stuff your self. You or your spouse will probably have a simelar effect on you except less because of your body weight.
guinea pigū wrote:
You or your spouse will probably have a simelar effect on you except less because of your body weight
That is not correct. The effects of stimulant medication are not based on body weight . It is based on the metobolic rate of absorption. Response is very individual.
My child's been using Metadate CD for 11 months now. It's been great for him. Previously he was on Focalin XR, which we discontinued due to side effects. He has not seen the same side effects w/ Metadate CD and we've had good ADHD control. There's still some reduced appetite while it's in his system and he eats a ton at night after it wears off. Otherwise, it's been really good for him. I hope your child has the same success w/ it. Like others have said, people react to the different meds differently, and what's great for one person could be a disaster for another.