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Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Drugs for A.D.D

Expert: Dr Billy Levin - 5/31/2004

Question
I heard there is a new drug available to treat ADD but I can't remember what it was called.
Apparently it helps a great deal without the side effects that ritalin or other 'speed' related drugs.

Can you put any light on the subject?

Answer
Unfortunaytely I cannot comment without a name of the product. There are a number of new products that have come onto the market recently. Ritalin is not a speed related drug. The "street name" for Amphetamines is "speed". Ritalin is not an Amphetamine .Ritalin has no long term side effects at all. There are minor transient side effects that may surface with Ritalin. None are serious ,and all can be managed with no risk to the patient.

Questioner's Rating

Rating(1-10)	Knowledgeability = 10	Clarity of Response = 10	Politeness = 10
Comment	Thank you so much for your answer! Actually, we did receive the second response and I'm sorry I didn't reply correctly. (This is our first time with ALLExperts.) Your advice is very much appreciated and valuable to us during this difficult "beginning" time in terms of treating our daughter's troubling condition. We are starting to realize she needs the metadate in and out of school, as her ADHD has adversely affected her socialization to some extent, and even her relationship with her 4-year-old sister. Her MD yesterday is sending us an RX for Concerta, the 12-hour capsule, for days she has after-school activities. We will try to use the shorter acting one on weekends, and may have to hold it some weekend days if she is losing weight, which she can't afford to do. I read something recently that compared ADHD meds to wearing glasses--they both help a child focus. I wouldn't dream of taking a child's eyeglasses away just because she is out of school! Anyway, thank you again for your replies--sorry you had to write three times--you went above and beyond the call of duty, but we do so appreciate it. Sincerely, Joy and Alan e-mail: JAF@registerednurses.com