Expert: Dr Billy Levin - 3/7/2010

Question
My son is diagnosed with adhd and tachycardia about 1 year ago. He is now 7 and 1/2. We have tried several stimulant medications (metadate, focalin, methylin) all of which affect his heart. Our pediatric cardiologist recommended that our son not take any stimulant medication. The few days that he was on the metadate he did excellent in school. After he complained about his heart  beating too fast we stopped. My question is can any stimulant medication be given to our son in a very small amounts over a long period of time so as to build up an immunity to the side affect of tachycardia? I have heard of people who work with bees and poisonous snakes doing this very thing. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Minor tachicardia is common and of no importence. If sensetive and no heart abnormality, Inderal can be used to reduce the tachicardia while taking Ritalin. If tachardia is severe an alternative like Strattera may be tried.  Small doses of Ritalin do not work, only an optimal dose works and the body does not develop immunity to Ritalin. Desensitization to Bee and Snake vemon is possible but not to Ritalin.