Alternatives to Swallowing Pills? | ADHD Information

Help!  My son has been diagnosed with ADD.  We originally tried him off with Concerta.  Unfortunately, after a week of trying, he was not able to swallow the pill.  He has never had to swallow a pill before, and plus he has very large tonsils, so swallowing pills is going to be very tough for him.  We then went to Ritalin because we could open the capsule and sprinkle it into applesauce.  He ended up having a very rapid heart beat while on Ritalin.  Even though two EKG's show no threat, we took him off of the medicine.  Now his doctor wants to try Straterra, but again, this would have to be swallowed.  Does anyone know of any other dosage form that does not have to be swallowed?  I can't believe that since this is such a "common" childhood disorder that not one drug company could create a chewable/crushable or liquid form of their medicine.  I'd appreciate any advice that you may have.

Hey Momma,

You said he was taking Concerta? I don't know how old your child is, but my oldest is 11, and we switch (Dr's orders) up between the Concerta and Adderall XR every 15 days. The reason I'm telling you this is because I also have a 3 year old who takes the AdderallXR, so I'm guessing that if your child can take Concerta, he might also be able to take AdderallXR.....it comes in a capsule, and like you, I sprinkle it in my youngest's applesauce. He knows it's in there, it's his "sprinkles". I don't give him the whole applesauce, he eats his cereal for breakfast, and while he'e eating, I get out a small container of flavored applesauce (he likes pear) and dip one spoon in, sprinkle the med on, spoon a tiny bit more of the applesauce on top, walk over, in his mouth (yum!) and put the rest of the applesauce back in the fridge.

Ask your Dr if Adderall XR is right for your child (gee, sounds like a corny drug commercial like on tv, huh? sorry!) Only your Dr will know. Like with mine, the oldest has been on Adderall, Adderall XR and Concerta, but when I asked my Dr about Strattera, he said it wasn't a good idea for him at this time....let me know what happens! (oh, and I sooooo agree with you about the why hasn't anyone made a liquid/chewable form of this stuff yet, sheesh!)

Thank you for your help!  My son is 8 years old now.  We tried to get him to take Concerta, but he couldn't/wouldn't swallow the pill.  That is what concerns me with switching to Straterra.  The doctor said it might help, because it is a non-stimulant, that it shouldn't affect his hear rate, like Concerta or Ritalin can.  I'll have to look into Adderall though and see if it is in the same class of meds.

Thanks again!