Tip of the Day
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Thursday, March 19, 2009
V. Sierpina
One of the most pressing questions of parents to physicians these days is, “Are there alternatives to drug therapy for my child with ADHD?” Given the highly pervasive nature of this condition (3-10% of American children) and the documented effectiveness of stimulant medications, we immediately enter onto a challenging territory. Children with conditions such as attention deficit disorder, with or without hyperactivity, often respond dramatically to psychostimulants such as methylphenidate. Both school grades and social behaviors improve quickly. Teachers, classmates, and family members are relieved. Yet there remains unease about a large cohort of our children requiring long-term drug therapy that has potential for side effects such as growth, appetite, and sleep disturbance and potential cardiac, endocrine, or sympathetic nervous system effects.
What are we to do? Are there effective, reliable, and safe alternatives to these widely prescribed medications? What is the evidence for their long-term use? Indeed, what is the evidence for long-term effectiveness and safety of the pharmacological treatments for ADD and ADHD?
Articles from the UK's National Library for Health