Nathan Herring is an adult who was diagnosed with ADHD when he was in third grade. He was put on Ritalin, and says it helped him focus and behave better at home. Even with positive stories like this, though, some parents are hesitant about putting their children on ADHD medication. Jean Enerson of King 5 News in Seattle, Washington, addressed this topic in a May 10 segment:

[Dr. Chris Varley] says a child on ADHD medication should stick with it for a year to see if it helps. Be sure your child's doctor tells you about side effects ...

"You should be measuring on a regular basis their height and weight, and you also should be measuring, probably as importantly, their pulse and blood pressure," said Dr. Varley.

Dr. Varley offered these cautions in response to studies that have found long-term use of ADHD medication can affect height and weight, and may exacerbate heart conditions.

There are no clear "one-size-fits-all" answers about whether or not a child should use prescription medication, and parents are encouraged to consult with a variety of experts to ensure that they have all necessary information to make informed decisions about their children's use of ADHD medications.

Labels: medications, Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, long_term_effects

Posted By: Aspen/CRC