Mellaril-Sup for ADHD

My 7-year old son is taking Adderall (adderrall) for ADHD.  We have had good results with the drug.  However, sometimes he is still too hyper.  My doctor prescribed him Mellaril.  I have been searching the net and do not find this drug associated with ADHD.  I can find general side effects, but cannot find them pertaining to children.  I also want to know how safe this drug is and about the long term effects.  My doctor says it is safe even for infants.  My son was put on Clonidine first before Mellaril.  This drug made him too sleepy.  We are trying the Mellaril suspension liquid at .2 to .4 mg. to try. What can you tell me about this drug that may help me.
Thank you.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Janet,

Mellaril is not a commonly-prescribed medicine for the treatment of ADHD. The fact that it is being prescribed leads me to think that your child displays some condition alongside the ADHD. Please check with your physician about this.

Mellaril is a major tranquilizer and is commonly used to treat symptoms of thought disorder or volatile/agitated behavior. Care needs to be taken when children use this drug over a protracted period of time, because central nervous system side effects can occur.

There's no reason to be alarmed about the absence of information in the medicine's use with children. It is used with children, though the clinical trials that preceded its approval by the Food and Drug Administration were not conducted with children. This often occurs.

[Gary]

My son is also using clonodine for ADHD.  I can only find where this drug is used for high blood pressure. Why use this medication, is it the right choice? I would like to know the side effects of this drug as it pertains to chidren. Also I would like to have input on the use of depikote and its side effects. My son is also taking welbutrin. Does all this medication make any sense? He is eleven.  Have you had reports or any recent studies that would indicate children taking welbutrin have memory loss. My son is eleven and can not remember his phone number or his address.  Thanks Gary

[WGMom]

The drugs that you mention are prescribed for Bipolar Disorder.  Has your doctor not mentioned this to you?  My son is 8, he is bipolar.  I have researched a lot about it.  Depakote is a mood stabilizer and is used instead of Lithium for some BP people.  Wellbutrin is an antidepressent that can also be helpful for ADHD.  But the only time I know that the combo of Depakote, Wellbutrin and Mellaril would be used would be for Bipolar Disorder.  I would recommend you ask your doctor about this as Bipolar Disorder has many more long range implications than ADHD.