Expert: Dr Billy Levin - 11/15/2004

Question
my son is 19 years of age, he was taking ritalin years ago, he hated it, but it did work, then he changed to adderall, he still did not it too much, but was willing or i should say coaxed into taking that one. he was once on the honor roll, his I.q. is off the table. but, the problem is has he began high school he did not like the meds at all, i could not blame him, afterall, who likes it, and besides i was not the one having to feel a certain way while taking the medication. i do not know how it felt, but i do know he was totally improved at home and school, and alot of his portential was being able to show itself. when he stopped, he was in band at school, percussions, he was, iwas told outstanding in this, which was wonderful but, that was the only thing he eventually took part in. finallly, in the 11th grade he stopped going. i told him it was my dream for him to graduate, and if it was not his dream, then he need not do it for me.i did however encourage him the best i could on the benefits on finishing high shool. He and well as my husband and i thought he would probly move onto college in a year to so,why we would think this with his history of dropping out of school i will never know, but nonetheless, we did.The first semester he even got back on adderall and tried to go to school, eventually stopped taking it and as expected fell behind and said forget it, or atleast that is what his actions were. He did however continue on with the band and excelled in this, i should add that i was not really pleased with this band thing by now. but ect.ect.ect. Now it is the second time he is attempting to go back to school, and has actually decided to go to a different doc for some advise, which that in itself was a miracle. The doc started him on straterra, and i am wondering if you have any info on how this medication is doing so far in trials. if there are ongoing trial, i think my son would be interested in that too. please help, if this does not work i fear my son is heading for a lifetime of very difficut times and i am doubting he would survive it without major disasters ongoing in his life. thankyou kathryn karch

Answer
If you son did well on medication ,he should be encouraged to taske it regularly. It is safe ,is not addictive and has no long term side effects. There are minor short term side effects that are easily solved by an expert doctor, if the medication is monitored. The stimulants like Ritalin are the most effective.  Straterra is a non stimululating medication but is not as effective as the stimulants. On it own it may work but it works best when used together with the stimulants.Research is done before it is marketed and there is always ongoing research for this new product.Your treating doctor should provide you with this information.