Fourth-grader Josh was diagnosed with ADD after a lengthy work-up and evaluation. He had been struggling in school and homework was a nightmare for both he and his parents. After the diagnosis was confirmed, I put him on a long acting stimulant medication, Concerta, which is a form of Ritalin. The results were dramatic. […]
Read More →Children and teens with ADHD have varying needs for control of symptoms throughout their day. The development of the methylphenidate transdermal patch, Daytrana, Shire Pharmaceuticals, has been a great advance in improved coverage and control of ADHD symptoms. The dose of this methylphenidate patch was studied in a recent Journal of the American Academy […]
Read More →There has been a flurry of recommendations from the American Heart Association and the Food and Drug Administration which have clouded the air with a fog of uncertainty. Does a patient need an electrocardiogram or an ECHO cardiogram before starting on medication for ADHD syndromes? Does a child that has been on medication for […]
Read More →Attention deficit disorder (ADD) affects approximately 3-5 percent of all school age children in the United States. This is also the incidence that is reported in Western Europe and Japan. ADD is not a single entity; rather, it is a constellation of symptoms that include inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. The symptoms are usually detectable […]
Read More →Last week a mother brought her son in for a routine four month evaluation for children on stimulant mediation. The 10-year-old boy was doing fine on his current medication. But they had heard that there was a brand new, totally different medication for attentionally deprived children. “Dr. Samson,” she said. “Why haven’t you […]
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