All medications for ADHD last less than an entire day but different
forms last different amounts of time. The body can get used to medicines that start
out lasting through much of the day so that they no longer last as long. For some
medicines increasing the morning dose will increase the duration. In other cases an
additional dose of the same of a different medicine can be helpful to cover important
times of day when better behavioral or attentional control. Making these adjustments
is an important reason for regular follow up visits with your child's doctor. Be sure
to fill out a Vanderbilt checklist when you have concerns over duration of medicine
and get teachers to do this also to provide the objective feedback needed to determine
if adjustments are needed.
