My three year old son started taking Adderall last week after being diagnosed with ADHD. My problem is, five times this week he has crashed for about an hour or so, right after taing his meds. This is a boy who stoped taking naps a year ago. One day he feel asleep while eating lunch. Should I be worried agout this?

Other than this, his impulsivity has improved 100%. even though he takes the meds at lunch, he is calmer the entire day.

I think that the meds prevent him from getting overstimulated like he does and he is able to get the rest his boby needs. Am I way off here? Is this normal?

I think that the meds prevent him from getting overstimulated like he does and he is able to get the rest his boby needs. Am I way off here? Is this normal?
It could be, and once he's done playing catch up he'll level out. Sleeping after taking a stimulant is kinda weird though. Anyone else out there know more then I do?

What dosage is he on?

Since this is brand new med for him, what dose is he on, and what type of Adderall? (IR vs XR) Could he be getting too much all at once in the IR version? Is he taking it with orange juice or other acid juice and not getting enough med to be effective?

3 seems young to have on a stimulant, though that is the age it is listed in the PDR as the start age. What did the doctor say?

He was on 1 mg but after 3 days there was no difference and I document hour by hour. So it got moved up to 2.5mg.

Doc says this is the only med approved for 3yr olds. It is the Adderall IR.

I know it is young and I had the same concerns, but my doc says that he is a danger to himself because he has NO impulse controll. He has no fear because he has no thought process before he acts. He thinks about it afterwards just fine but not before. He is covered head to toe with bruises and I am afraid to be seen in public with him because it looks like we abuse him.

I quit my job as a special ed teacher because daycare was a disaster! Home life is not much better, but he is not hurting other kids here at least, and I don't have to get the horrible looks from the teachers and other parents when I pick him up.

This week we had three play dates and he did not hurt himself or anyone else the entire time with all three! Thank God all my friends are teachers like me and very understanding of his situation. Most moms would have stoped bring there kids over a long time ago.

I am leaning towards Heart's post and what you said too, that maybe your young man is just getting caught up on some needed recouping time his body probably desperately needs. I know that I can give my son some coffee to help him concentrate in a pinch, but I also know that it could put him right to sleep. Go figure, but same story here. The stims calm in ways I cannot explain, but they do. Most side-effects subside in a couple of weeks, and he should be caught up in his recoup by then if that is what is causing it. It sounds like it is working well for him otherwise, and your doc was good to start him on a tiny dose and work up, that's the best way. (XR has not been studied on young children) You should soon see what your young man was meant to really be! :-)

I think higher doses can do this.

Falling asleep in the middle of lunch isn't good!

Maybe he needs a lower dose?

As usual: talk to your Doctor.

Thanks for everyones input. It helps. I will bring it up at his next visit in two weeks.

Sleeping after taking a stimulant is kinda weird though.Not for someone with ADHD. I can't find a source off the top of my head, but I remember reading that it is not unusual for someone to feel like taking a nap when first starting Ritalin - it could be as it is wearing off, but it is a temporary side effect. I know that if I forget to take a dose at the right time, I will start yawning, check the time and realize I'm late for a dose. Thirty minutes after taking my very first dose of Ritalin, I felt like I had just spent an hour swimming laps at the pool. I also seem to remember napping my first week on Ritalin. Lots of people have reported on ADDForums that Ritalin helps them stay calm enough to sleep.

P.S. Morphine doesn't sedate me either.

Not for someone with ADHD. I can't find a source off the top of my head, but I remember reading that it is not unusual for someone to feel like taking a nap when first starting Ritalin - it could be as it is wearing off, but it is a temporary side effect. I know that if I forget to take a dose at the right time, I will start yawning, check the time and realize I'm late for a dose. Thirty minutes after taking my very first dose of Ritalin, I felt like I had just spent an hour swimming laps at the pool. I also seem to remember napping my first week on Ritalin. Lots of people have reported on ADDForums that Ritalin helps them stay calm enough to sleep.


Wow, I did not know that. That makes me feel better! I think my guy is on the right path then. Yesterday he did not get into trouble once all day. My husband was soooo happy he took him to walmart and bought him colored sand for his sandbox. My house is peaceful once again.

20trackedmind (great username, by the way), if your little guy is having such a positive reaction to a med then his doctor must be pretty smart. Three year olds are so cute.

Actually, I did this too. I would sometimes take an hour nap after my second dose of Adderall IR.

Actually - I have adult ADD - and I will sometimes get very sleepy right after my dose. I take a quick nap and I am good for the day. I think it has to do with the sudden change in dopamine levels.

Hi there 20trackedmind,

My favorite child and adolescent psychiatrist told me that it is very common for children to have that reaction to a stimulant - particularly when they are first adjusting to it. If his behavior is better, and if he is sleeping at night (as well as eating enough, because weight loss is a very, very common side effect of this particular drug) then you are no doubt on the right path. It is also good that you doccument everything - let the psychiatrist know exactly what you have observed.

Best of luck to you and your little one.

At Heart