New Drugs for Attention Deficit Disorder

By Hannah Rice Myers

For the millions of children who are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder each year, finding the right medication can be difficult. It is sometimes a matter of trial and error to find the medication that will treat their symptoms with the fewest side effects. Up until now, Ritalin has been the most common drug prescribed for ADD. But there are drugs now on the market that are more effective and have fewer side effects than Ritalin. Know what they are so you can ask your child's doctor about them during your next visit.

Concerta

This is a reformed version of Ritalin that comes in the form of a tablet which must be swallowed. For this reason, it is only recommended for children over the age of 6. It is an extended-release medication that lasts for 12 hours and only needs to be taken once daily: in the morning, with breakfast. It has a low occurrence of side effects.

Metadate CD

This medication comes in the form of an extended-release capsule. Thirty percent of the medication is released immediately, while the other 70 percent is released slowly throughout the day. It only needs to be taken once a day, and should be taken before breakfast; taking it after eating delays the release of the medication. If needed, the capsule can be broken apart and the beads mixed into applesauce if the child cannot swallow the capsule itself.

Metadate CD, photo courtesy of healthsquare.com. -

Focalin

This is another medication that is a modified version of Ritalin. Because of its formulation, only half of the regularly prescribed dose of Ritalin needs to be prescribed for Focalin. It can be taken with or without food, and needs to be taken twice a day, 4 hours apart. Addiction to this medication can occur if it is given in excessive doses over long periods of time.

Focalin, photo courtesy of walgreens.com. -