Adjusting Medications |
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Start with a low dose to minimize side effects and slowly work up to an effective dose. Please see each medication summary for initial dose, dosage increases, and maximal dose. Medication dosages can also be manipulated to minimize common side effects such as:
A liaison at the school should be identified to give feedback on the child's progress. This may be a teacher, counselor, school nurse or principal. Dose adjustments can be made by phone every three to five days. At each contact behavioral improvements and side effects should be discussed. The child can be seen in the office for monitoring every two to three weeks. When on a stable effective dose, visits can be every three months. Medication should be given seven days a week initially so that parents can monitor for effectiveness and side effects. Increase the dose as instructed until a therapeutic effect is achieved. If a therapeutic effect does not occur despite maximal dosing or if side effects are troublesome, the medication should be stopped and the process repeated with a different agent. |