dexadrine (dextrostat)

[Jenn]

My ds is on dexadrine for ADHD, when the drug starts to wear off he crys very easily. This only happens when the drug is startint to wear off. What do the doctors do about this?? more meds? change the meds?? increase dose?? Any suggestions about making the down side go any easier??/

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Jenn,

You should consult with the prescribing physician. As I menioned in my previous note, sometimes changing the form of the medication is helpful. Other possibilities include changing the dose and switching to another medication (she may not experience the same reaction to the different stimulant medications).

Be judicious about the kinds of stressors to which she is exposed during the period when the effects of the medication are waning. It's not a good time to be making unusual demands on her, because her resilince will be limited.

[Jamie]

My son is on dexadrine. He used to cry all the time when he was on Ritalin, my doctor suggested dexadrine. It is much better than Ritalin, but he still also gets very emotional sometimes. I have also been told that ADHD children are emotional anyway. My son does better if he takes the medicine everyday without skipping any days. A steady stream helps. I am not sure what your situation is but we were only giving my son his meds on the weekdays. Giving it to him everyday makes him a little less emotional. He does cry too. I have heard that ADHD kids cry on all the meds that are available. It does get better! Give it time.

[david]

Hi Jenn,
I am a male adult using this same drug to augment an MAOI anti depressant. I also find I am very emotional as the drug wears off. So I to agree with a possible change in stimulant. I am looking into that myself. Hope this helps David

[parent]

In researching the available Medications for Ad/HD I came across your Post.
sounds like rebound, it also occurs with Ritalin.
this can be aleveatedby the following method.
If the dose is 5-6 tabs in the morning or given set times why not give 3 at say 7:30  then 3 at 8:30 (can be 4 and 4 etc..)giving a less drastic drop in the  medications then followed by the next scheduled dose in the same manner. I’m not sure what the actual above mentioned dosage schedule is called but I do know it helps.

Hope this helps your pacient
Just a mom

[Chris Nelson]

The drug Dexadrine (dextrostat) has many side affects, including emotional instability (crying easily), you might want to get a longer lasting dose such as a dexadrine spansule, which is less severe and longer lasting.  Another alternative would be talking with the doctor about ritalin.

[M. Miller]

I find that when my son is coming off from his meds that if you give him/her something very sugary to eat such as a candy bar, it will ease the transition.  I also found that this coming down effect only lasted about the first one to two months he began taking them.  After that his body was able to make the transition without any affects.  Hope this helps!!!!