Stomach and headeache with ADHD medecine/ Vitamin C

[Kygon]

My child (8) took Adderall XR on a trial basis for 3 weeks(10 mg and 15 mg). We had to open the capsule and put the medication in his gogourt because he didn't want to swallow the capsule.  He was taking it +/- 30 minutes after breakfast (toast+butter+milk). During that period, he always had stomach and headache.  He pediatrician now suggest to try Ritalin.  
Is there something we can do to prevent those stomach and headache with the new medecine?  

Also, I have noticed that his handwriting is better when he take an orange juice just before homework.  Why?

[ms mint]

MY 13YR OLD HAS BEEN ON ADDERALL FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS, WE ALSO DID THE STUDY FOR THE ADDERALL TIME RELEASE.  IT DIDNT WORK AND WE WENT BACK TO THE REGULAR ADDERALL.  HE COMPLAINS STILL OF HEADACHES WE USE ALEAVE IT SEEMS TO HELP.  THE ORANGE JUICE THING, I WAS TOLD NEVER GIVE THE MED WITH ORANGE JUICE AND FOR HIM NOT TO DRINK IT, IT DOEAS SOMETHING TO THE DRUG TO COUNTER ACT. MY SON HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED 2 TIMES AND THERE WERE SIGNS ALL OVER THE CAFETERIA IF ON ADDERAL NO ORANGE JUICE, SO THERE IS A REASON. GOOD LUCK IT IS ALOT OF WORK TO FIND THE RIGHT MEDS.

[lovelyneurotic]

the answer to your first question is obvious. The capsule is called extended release for a REASON. The amount of meds in the capsule is formulated to give your child a continuous mg dosage for 12 hours straight, releasing only some at a time. By ingesting the contents inside the pill all at once, you're risking consequences of an overdosage.. some of the side effects of which include nauseau and headache. If you had read ANYTHING about the indications and dosage you should already know this, the instructions clearly say 'do not break open capsule' again, could it be more obvious?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Relative to the juice/handwriting relationship: this is likely due to the incr. in blood sugar (and resulting glucose supply to the brain) that the juice provides. Such energy is necessary for the brain to 'do its work', even around such things as visual motor and fine motor functioning.

Sometimes the stimulant meds to result in GI discomfort and/or headaches. Stomach upset usually subsides if the medication is taken with food, and headaches are often only a transitory effect. It's OK to take the medication with breakfast - it may not be helping to take it after.