Do the effects of Adderall lessen over time?
My son is on 10mg of Adderall. He was diagnosed in May of 2008 with ADHD. I was wondering if I only give him the medication on days that he has a stuctured schedule, and not on the weekends, would a lower dose work for a longer period of time? I've heard that your body gets used to the medication after a while and it doesn't work like it used to. So an increase in the dose is necessary. Would this possibly work or it this a myth?
Hi Mom,
This is a great question to ask your son's doctor. I am not a physician, so can only tell you what I've observed in others and what they've told me.
Some people do develop a tolerance to stimulants over time; others do not and do quite well on the same dosage for many many years. If you stop giving you son his meds on the weekend (and please discuss this with his doctor before considering doing that), I don't think that a lower dosage during the week would solve the problem. Stimulants do not stay in the body for long, so regardless of whether he's taking it on the weekend or not, he'll most likely go back to ‘status quo" during his school week. In other words, I don't think he'll need any less just because he didn't take it during the weekend. Nor do I think that a lower dose would last longer.
Best to discuss these concerns with his doctor.
Terry
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My son has been taking medication for adhd for the past three years and in that time we have gone through 4-5 different kinds. It seems that they each react differently and make him act differently. But with every one he's been on we have had to have some adjustments within the school year because as they grow either weight, height or they get used to it, they need a recheck with their doctor and an increase may be necessary.
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