New to Ritalin

[Leah72]

My stepson just started a 5 mg dose of Ritalin. It says to give him one per day for a week. He has been on it for 3 days total. The last 2 nights, we've noticed that he comes home (obviously having coming down off the dose we gave him in the morning) and he is just out of control hyper, nonstop chattering, and running all over.

Is this normal? We are going to monitor this more over the weekend to see what the difference is during the day on the meds and then how he comes down off of them, but I'm wondering if seeing an INCREASE to the hyperactivity as he comes off of the drug is normal.

Any comments are welcome.

[MuscleMama]

Yes, it is known as the 'rebound effect' and can be common.

[MGDAD]

Yes, when the meds wear off, the hyperactivity can be worse than when the meds were never given. There are a few ways to help with this.

Do a good dose of aerobic activity, to help get some energy out.
Give a small dose of short acting medication when he comes home from school, to get him through the late afternoon.
Try a medication that lasts longer, like, Vyvanse. Which can last up to 10-12 hours.

[Leah72]

So, do you also notice an increase in the hyperactivity from being ON the medication itself? He is taking one 5mg dose in the morning and then another 5mg dose after lunch to get him through the afternoon. I'm just wondering if repeating himself, constant chatter and a bit more hyperactivity is common with these meds. They are stimulants, so I'm guessing it might be. Just more worried that when he is off his break and back in the classroom that there will be no difference in focus.

Just looking for information and experiences from people that have done this.

THANK YOU to any that has or will reply! These forums are a great resource.

[MGDAD]

When an ADHDer takes a stimulant, it slows them down, which is the opposite affect that it would have for a non-adhder. So, on the stimulant he should be less hyperactive, and he should be able to focus better. When it wears off, he will be more hyper, and have a harder time focusing.

Have you gotten any feedback from his teachers? Have they seen an improvement?

Once you find that the medication works, usually you switch from the short acting type to a long acting (slow release) form of the medication. Concerta is a good form of long acting Methylphenidate(the chemical in Ritalin).

[Leah72]

The rebound time is definitely different and we are noticing MORE hyperactivity. I've been told that's normal.

It's hard because he's been on Ritalin for less than a week and he's on a break from school...so he's at his after school program during the day for the duration of the break.

I'm thinking we should give it until his break is over and see how he does in the classroom...but if this drug is not supposed to make him MORE hyper when he's on it, then perhaps a call in to the psychiatrist is more in order? Or, have we not given this enough of a chance?

[MGDAD]

More hyperactivity while on the medicine, is not normal. It should work on the first dose. There is no build up required. How old is he?

[Leah72]

He is 6 years old.