ADHD Medication Dosing: Why It’s Not About Age or Weight
Dr. Chheda – What is the best dose for a stimulant medication for your child who has ADD? Well, believe it or not, stimulant medications are not based on age or weight. They are based…
Dr. Chheda – What is the best dose for a stimulant medication for your child who has ADD? Well, believe it or not, stimulant medications are not based on age or weight. They are based on whatever it takes to help your child focus.
Now I have got kindergarteners on the highest dose. I’ve got high school seniors on the lowest dose. It is not based on age or weight. It is based on whatever it takes to help your child focus.
But when we start stimulant medications, we always start low, and then we work our way up to the optimal dose. Yes, it might seem like a little trial and error, but that’s the only way we know. There is no blood test that tells me what is the optimal dose.
So you always want to start low and work your way up. And just remember, it is not based on age or weight. It is just based on whatever it takes to help your child focus.