Gen. Adderall XR, wearing off & booster? | ADHD Information

Hi all, I'm new to this board w/ 1 ADD & 1 ADHD daughter.  Both are on generic Adderall XR due to insurance no longer covering the brand drug. 

My 5 yr old daughter is currently on generic 10mg XR and it is not lasting nearly long enough. The brand name seemed to be better, but w/ insurance and all that...  Anyway, I suggested a 5mg standard booster to her previous pediatrician and he didn't seem to think it was a good idea. 

We just switched to a new doc and tried the 15mg for the past 5 days.  It just seems to be TOO STRONG.  She's overly emotional and getting physical w/ classmates.  I plan on backing her back down and discuss the booster with her new doc who seems much more reasonable.

I was just looking for some thoughts from parents using the standard booster.  Have you seen any negatives from this approach.  I'm already having trough getting her in bed, but I've seen her be much easier when the med is in her system so that may improve with a booster. 

Any observations are much appreciated.

When my son was on Adderall XR (he's not on it any more)  we used a booster.  I believe it's actually quite common.  Also, Melatonin can help at night for sleep issues.  If you're not satified with this new doc then go to a specialist.  They are much more comfortable with these meds than the pediatricians. Good luck! Thanks, Logan's Mom! We are going to start with the booster tomorrow.  Her new doc was totally willing to give it a shot so I think we are on the right path! Your doctor needs to send a Request for Prior Authorization to the insurance company to get the brand drug that is "no longer covered" paid for.

Sadly, that is not an option on this med since generics in the class are available and quite honestly we have to do prior auths on other stuff and if i don't have to on this i don't want to.  The generic is working fine other a shorter time period, i think the booster will be the ticket.  We needed it on the real deal, too, just not as badly.

thanks though

I'm glad your new doc was easier to deal with!  That's soooooo important! Good luck and please keep us posted with how the booster is working! Logan's mom, can you explain to me how you use the melatonin? Looks like our kiddos are bout the same age and it would really help me. Also, what time is bedtime? Btw, Kam is 43 lbs, i'm guessing dosage goes by weight to start on the melatonin.

Thanks so much!

Yes I think they are about the same age.  Mine will be 5 in January and I haven't weighed him in a while but I'm sure he's well over 40 lbs now. 

He goes to bed around 8pm.  I usually give him the Melatonin about 15 min before bed and it makes him drowsy (He doesn't really get drowsy on his own.)  His dose is .75 mg a night. This is the dose his doctor put him on.  We get the 3mg tablets and cut them into 4 pieces.  He can swallow pills but we use the chewable kind because he has to swollow so many other pills!  You can get the regular pills at any pharmacy but I have to get the chewables on line. 

I know a lot of other people use Melatonin and the dose is higher but .75mg seems to do the trick for mine! Give it a try.  It might just do the trick for you!  I hope it works! Keep us posted!