Do any of you have kids thast are on Aderall XR and if so have they had any side effects from it?

By Lauram on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 10:43 am:

I do. My son has had a bit of weight loss and loss of appetite. Initially, when we were getting up to the right dosage- he had ADHHHHHHD when it wore off in the evening too. That has since wore off. You should also know it was recently pulled from the shelves in Canada for SUD (sudden unexplained death). THere were 20 around the world in adults and children. THe FDA has insisted it remain on the shelves in the US. Something to discuss with your dr though. It has done wonders for my son. He takes 15 mg and he's almost 8. He also has Tourette's - which makes medicating him more complex. There's a warning about giving stims to Tourette kids....

By Cat on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 10:50 am:

Robin tried it before we got his bipolar dx and it was awful for him (caused horrible rages). But, then again, stimulants for kids with bp are a BAD thing. We'd been lucky up to that point. Have any other meds been discussed? Strattera is a good one. We had good luck with Dexadrine until it quit working. We had some luck with Concerta, too. Do your own research on any med before trying it (as I'm sure you will).

By Tonya on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 11:09 am:

He has been on the 10mg does for almost a yr 2 months ago the switched him (much needed) to 15mg and in the last week or so we have notice he is getting a bald spot on the top middle part of his head and right now don't know what else to contribute it too. We are going to give it another week and see if anything changes and take him into the Dr.

We asked him and he said he pulled it out once to see if it would hurt (man are boys confusing to me!!) but it is too smooth to believe that I mean no stubs coming back in or nothing.

Thanks ladies. I guess if it is not better or showing improvement by Monday I will call and get him into the Dr.

By Boxzgrl on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 12:09 pm:

I just watched a documentary recently on Aderall. I guess its a BIG time addictive drug and high school and even middle school aged kids are known for taking it before tests and such because it helps them score better. They take it before the SATs and even just for studying and preparing. It was a bit sad to watch.

Other than that, I know nothing about it.

By Lauram on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 12:13 pm:

That documentary is about people who SHOULDN"T be taking it- BTW. Adderall is a controlled substance. It is locked at the pharmacy for this reason. Only the pharmacist has the key and he/she needs to get it for us when we pick it up.

About the hair pulling- that sounds like a tic. Lots of experience with those! LOL! It's called tric... something. Adderall can cause tics.

Try tic substitution. Maybe give him something to pull that feels like hair?! Like a ribbon. Or have him wear a hat. If you try those and they don't work let me know and I'll keep brainstorming.... I'd also let his dr know. Any other tics? Any odd behaviors or noises?

By Tonya on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 12:18 pm:

I don't think this is a tic he said he only did it once and to be honest with you if he pulled it out it would have stubs showing where it was attempting to grow backthis is smooth like it fell out and is not growing back.

By Boxzgrl on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 12:19 pm:

Lauram, the one I watched was about kids who started taking it as a prescription given by the doctor but then started sneaking extra pills behind their parents back because they noticed their tests scores getting better and wanted to continue to do better and eventually they believed they couldnt do good without Aderall, period. I know it's a controlled substance. I was just sharing my only experience i've ever heard of it, not trying to debate it.

By Mommmie on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 01:09 pm:

My son took it for a year a couple of years ago. He had loss of appetite and inability to fall asleep and it made him moody when he's normally not. We switched to Ritalin LA and he has no moodiness at all. He does pick sometimes - usually his lip, but that stopped and I don't know if it's med related or not. He is at risk to have tics anyway. All these things sortof overlap.

By Lauram on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 02:14 pm:

Yes, it can be abused as well. It is safe if you take the prescribed amount though.

By Kaye on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 03:09 pm:

Adderal is speed, iti s addictive, it does have to be monitored very close. Almost all add meds are though.