5 Safety Rules for Using ADHD Medications

Deciding to treat ADHD symptoms with medication is not a cop out or a quick fix. Determining the right dosage of the right prescription is hard work. Follow these rules for dialing in the best treatment possible with the fewest side effects.

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Ritalin is a medication for ADHD ADDitude Magazine

Using ADHD medication to treat your child's symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) isn’t as simple as filling a prescription and living happily ever after.

William W. Dodson, M.D., a Denver-based psychiatrist specializing in ADHD, wishes more parents would be patient about side effects. “There’s a tendency for people to throw up their hands at the first difficulty instead of working with the physician as they would with the treatment of any other disorder,” says Dr. Dodson. “Getting ADHD meds to work to their optimal benefit requires patience.”

Here are five key steps for using stimulants effectively, as well as advice on managing some potential side effects.

Rule #1: Monitor the Medication...

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TAGS: ADHD Medication and Children, ADHD Stimulant Medications, ADD Meds: Dosing

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