Concerta and Strattera | ADHD Information

I am curious, i have 4 children and 2 are ADHD (one on meds Concerta - formerly Strattera).  My children are 14, 13, 12, & 10 and given their ages and present times - i would like to know if anyone can tell me what the effects would be for my NON-ADHD kids should they "experiement" and take these drugs (in excess but not too much).  I need to be very careful and do not wanna mention to doctor.  I fear that they will think they are drug abusers when in fact, I'm just getting one step ahead of them in protecting them from harm.  Thanks My daugther was first on Strattera and had terrible side effects. We switched her to Concerta. Concerta is a member of the Ritalin family. But with Concerta she has no side effects and great outstanding results. We love it. She has total control with it. She went from a "D" student to an "A'B" student making honor roll this year. We are proud.I have done a lot of research on this drug. My son, who is in the 4th grade, has been taking it for over 2 years now.

It is not like Ritalin (which is in the same classification as Cocaine). Stratterra is not a stimulant or a narcotic. Usually the only side affects are a loss of appetite that usually returns after 2 weeks of being on it.

We have friends who have a daughter taking it. She can only take hers at night...otherwise she has a hard time staying awake in class. My son, however, can only take it in the morning...otherwise he is up all night. It really reacts to each person differently...because we are all chemically made up differently.

When my son started making all A's we decided that maybe he didn't need to be on it anymore. Within a week of being off of it...the teacher noticed a huge change in him...in fact...she said it was like he was a different student altogether. So we put him back on it...and his attention improved. I am happy to say he is still making good grades. He will probably have to take it until he can learn to concentrate and get organized with his thoughts and his classes on his own...which is looking like high school.   

As far as your other kids getting in to their meds...I think any doctor will tell you that all medication should be kept out of reach of children. The stratterra is not something that is mind altering...and would not cause a child to want to take it for a high. But it is still a drug.

I have heard countless stories of where people who have a sinus infection take 2 or three kinds of over the counter medications to relieve their pain and end up dead because of the effects of combining different meds. All medication should be treated as "harmful if swallowed...when not perscribed by your doctor".

But that is just my opnion.

To protect your children from harm you should begin by teaching them the dangers of taking medication that is not prescribed for them. 

How would you know your kids would take 'in excess but not too much?'

 

 

It could be worth it to lock it up. Get a lock box or put a lock on a cabinet if your worried about your other children or the child that is taking the medication. Tamaraw196938383.5988310185