Adderall XR Vs Strattera

There was no surprise when my daughter received the prognoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It was shocking to discover the first method of treatment that her doctor prescribed was medication. She was five years old and weighed less than 30 pounds. I was wary as to the effects a medication would have on her. However, I was disparate for help. I agreed to a one month trial of Adderall XR. The doctor explained to me that Adderall XR was the most prescribed medication for ADHD. According to that particular doctor it was the best medication for any child with ADHD.

I noticed a difference in my child after the first dose of Adderall XR. My normally energetic and happy five years old became sullen and sad. Often crying for reasons she herself did not know or understand. However, for the first time in her life she was able to sit down and color a picture from start to completion. I had my concerns about the drastic personality changes. My daughter being able to focus seemed to out weigh them at that time. The personality changes seemed to worsen every day that she was on Adderall XR. Alternating from severe crying and cranky behaviors to zombie like states, I became concerned that perhaps I had made a mistake in allowing her to continue taking Adderall XR.

The final blow came at a pool party. Her mood was sad most of the day. During lunch time she refused to eat, this was a major concern for me. My daughter's weight has always been low, but her appetite has also always been healthy. When she refused to eat, I began to wonder if it was because of the Adderall XR. Shortly after lunch she became more distant and withdrawn. The zombie state had returned. She got up from the table and walked over to the pool. She simply walked in without a cautious thought. I looked up at her and realized she did not have her water wings on her arms.

I was terrified that my daughter would drown. I ran to her as fast as I could. My sister seeing my reaction followed suit. I watched my little girl walk straight into the pool and immediately sink to the bottom. My sister and I grabbed my daughter from two separate angles. We pulled her out of the water coughing and sputtering. I began to question her to see if she was hurt. She simply looked up at me with a blank expression saying "I forgot my floaties." Her voice was monotone and frightening. It was as if all traces of my daughter had disappeared. I immediately lifted my daughter into my arms and took her home. I flushed the remaining Adderall XR pills down the toilet.

The behavior changes associated with my daughter taking Adderall XR were now a threat. No matter how much focus she had gained on Adderall XR it could not be considered a positive outcome for treatment. I began to do my own research on the drug. First and foremost, Adderall XR is recommended for children ages 6 to 12. This fact was omitted during the consultation with her doctor. Second, Adderall XR is a pharmaceutical amphetamine. A Schedule II controlled substance with the high potential for addiction and abuse. I was shocked. How could that doctor believe that an amphetamine was a good idea for a five year old? As I read the side effects list my fears became more of a reality.

The more severe side effects, decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, stomach ache, headache, weight loss, dry mouth, depression, a laundry list of ailments that my daughter had experienced during her three week trial. As I did further research I found that rare side effects included aggression, abnormal thoughts and behaviors, worsening of motion or verbal tics and Tourett's Syndrome. My fears wear confirmed for me. Abnormal thoughts and behaviors, it was abnormal for my normally cautious daughter to walk into a pool without her floatation device. I felt that the doctor had done a great disservice to my child by prescribing Adderall XR at her age and weight. I found a new doctor immediately.

Over the next year I became staunchly anti medication when treating my daughter's ADHD. I researched and implemented a strong behavior plan. That worked for us when it came to curbing the behaviors associated with ADHD. It did not improve her focus on class work or standardized tests. By the beginning of second grade it became painfully obvious to me that she needed something to help her focus. I made an appointment with a developmental pediatrician. She suggested Strattera. A non stimulant medication that is works as a buffer between chemicals in the brain. It allows the chemical reactions needed for focus without over stimulating the brain or body. I was up for trying Strattera but I had a few more questions.

What were the side effects? How do we combat the side effects? I was not sure if Strattera was right for my child. I could not tolerate yet another pill that would change my daughter's personality in such a drastic way. However, the developmental pediatrician explained to me that the most common side effects were nausea and tiredness. Both of which are combated by eating before the pill are ingested. She went on to explain to me that there were two very rare side effects that had shown up in clinical trials. Liver damage could be caused by Strattera. However, this was based on a 2 in 2 million ratio. We would have her blood tested for liver function every six months to be sure she would not fall into that statistic. Suicidal thoughts had also shown up in 4 in 1,000 patients. I would be responsible for monitoring my child's behavior for such changes. I agreed that Strattera seemed to have the least amount of side affects. We started her on the treatments immediately.

Strattera has allowed my daughter to function when she must focus on a task. It has not changed her personality in the slightest. She is as happy and energetic as she has ever been. Strattera does not control the behaviors associated with ADHD. We continue to use behavior management to offset them. We take her regularly to have her blood tested for liver function. The important change is in her level of focus. She can concentrate on a two hour long test. After nearly two years on Strattera, I can honestly say that it works. The benefits of this drug are worth a morning eating schedule and six month blood test to offset the side effects.

When deciding an ADHD medication that is right for your child, research, conversations with your doctor and trial and error are the only ways to decide what is right. I encourage any parent to learn from my mistake and do the research into the medications available on their own before discussing a medication with a doctor. This article is about my experience with Adderall XR and Strattera and should not be the basis of medication choice.