(eg. Ritalin)
- Advantages/Disadvantages:
- Long track record
- May unmask/exacerbate a tic disorder
- Availability:
- 5mg,10mg(scored) ,20mg (scored)
- 20mg SR
- Starting Dose:
- preschool aged: 2.5 mg q am (w/ breakfast)
- school aged: 5 mg q am (w/ breakfast)
- Onset of Action:
- Duration of Action:
- Dosage Adjustment:
- Increase 5 mg every 3-5 days until effect observed.
- When a therapeutic effect achieved, a second dose of the same amount can be given at lunch to control afternoon symptoms.
- An occasional child with severe symptoms may need a 4:00pm dose to control evening symptoms.
- Once the regimen has been adjusted the child can be switched to the long acting form. The total daily dose of long acting preparation often needs to be slightly higher than the total daily dose of short acting preparation. Long acting preparations may not be effective for some patients.
- Maximum Dose:
- 0.8-1 mg/kg/dose (Doses higher than 1mg/kg have been shown to impair cognitive abilities in some patients.)
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