Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

ADHD medication making no difference!

37 replies

ADHDnewbie · 03/10/2023 20:18

My 13 year old DD recently started on 18mg of Delmosart and apart from a bit of a decrease in appetite reports no differences at all.
Teachers say the same, absolutely no change.
Is this normal until the dose increases to 27mg next week or is it likely this medication doesn’t work for her?

She’s so upset as was hoping to be more focused in class and be able to absorb the information

OP posts:
WineWithAView · 03/10/2023 20:43

Tell her not to be disheartened. It takes time to find the right dose. And they need to keep an eye out for any side effects so a slow start is better. Are you saying she's moving on to 27mg already after a week on 18mg?

DS10 is on delmosart. He started on 18mg and didn't have a review for 6 weeks.

We noticed a difference at home immediately on 18mg especially with his hyperactivity, emotional regulation, but the teacher didn't see any change at school where he presents very differently.

The increase to 36mg definitely resulted in a change at school.

Good luck to your DD.

Freshstarts23 · 03/10/2023 20:40

Was you prescribed privately by any chance?

Ffsadhd · 03/10/2023 20:40

There's a book called the parents' guide to adhd by Peter Hill which I would recommend. It explains the process of titration (finding the right dose) and how drugs and side effects etc work. Much as we'd love medication to wave a magic wand there's still a lot to do!

Freshstarts23 · 03/10/2023 20:40

Did they not explain this to you in detail? They should have.

Original poster
ADHDnewbie · 03/10/2023 20:37

Was there any effects on the lower doses or not really?

OP posts:
Pr0fessionalLurker · 03/10/2023 20:32

It took us two years to get to a settled dose. You have to build up the dose. We are now on 54mg, similar age to you.

Original poster
ADHDnewbie · 03/10/2023 20:30

I understand that but I was told by the DR that the effects should be clear within an hour of taking it - saying that she has only given a week of 18mg before 27mg so maybe the increase will help

OP posts:
ChaosAndCrumbs · 03/10/2023 20:29

Usually they try to start low and gradually increase medications to try and reduce side effects, as well as being able to monitor more carefully which dose suits a person. Plenty of people find a lower dose works well, but that’s hard to find if it’s not started slowly and gradually seen where the best dose sits. Sometimes a doctor might also slightly reduce a dose later (when taking higher dosage) as they and the patient (or patient’s parents) realise it worked better on the dose down. I’d maybe ask the doctor to explain it as they’ll be able to clarify what a sudden large dose would do. Usually it’s explained in the appointment why it’s done and that the benefits may not be seen until a higher dose.

Bruisername · 03/10/2023 20:27

My dd has started on a different one and has started refusing to take it because it’s not making a difference. It’s frustrating because I’m sure it’s the dose needing building up but she’s giving up afte 6 weeks

Ohdearwhatnow4 · 03/10/2023 20:25

Cause its a class A drug and her body needs to get use to it, it might take months to get the correct drug and dosage. Don't give up just yet

Original poster
ADHDnewbie · 03/10/2023 20:21

What’s the “ normal “ dose for this age range though or does that not exist?

Why would they start on 18mg if unlikely there will be any difference at all?!

OP posts:
NotObligedToArgueWithStrangers · 03/10/2023 20:19

That's a starter dose. They will put it up in stages until they see a difference.

Swipe left for the next trending thread