Medikinet

[Noits]

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some advice regarding medikinet XL.
My son started on 10mg just over 2 weeks ago, then increased to 20mg on Wednesday this week. Since increasing his dose, he has seemed quite sullen. He is usually a very happy, cheerful kid, loves to chat, play, full of character, etc. This is so sad for me to see. It breaks my heart. He returns back to his normal happy self when the medication wears off later on in the day. Will these side effects wear off eventually, and if so, how long will they last? I don't want to give him one tomorrow :( Should I call his doctor tomorrow or persevere? He's also completely lost his appetite and will only eat when the medication wears off in the evening.

You can ring a pharmacist, they might be able to advise.

That's an awfully short time to up the dose.
You make it sound like there were no issues that required the medication.
How are the things/ symptoms/ difficulties responding to the medication? It's unusual to talk about adhd meds without referencing those.
The problems of appetite etc whilst upsetting are often outweighed by the benefits. Parents agonise about this balance.
Are you actually a parent with PR here?

What are you even talking about? Medikinet is given to children with ADHD.
He has a diagnosis of ADHD, combined type, and the severity is severe, so although he is a happy child for the most part, he requires the medication because he's like a motor that never stops, he can't keep still, he can't sleep, he is constantly on the go, and it clearly drives him crazy sometimes. So that is why he's on medication. If you've got nothing useful to say, it's best to say nothing, isn't it?

In my not hugely extensive experience things don’t ‘settle’ so I’d go back and talk to the dr. There are other medications that may work better

(experience is DH and DS on medikinet tho they used to be on Equasym which isn’t currently available)

Thank you for your reply. Did they experience similar side effects? If so, how long did those last?

Thank you :)

This is what Medikinet does. DS (11) has taken it for the past 3 years, but not in school holidays or at weekends. I don’t really see him on it because I’m at work/he’s at school, but it enables him to be calm and focused during the school day. It also reduces his appetite, but he’s a normal weight so I’m not concerned.

I’m presuming it’s Feb half term with you? Tbh I wouldn’t be trialling ADHD meds in the school holidays, I’d be looking at its (positive) effects on focus and learning during school hours.

We started trialling them during a school week. His doctor advised us that he should be taking them every day for now for his body to get used to them. When he is settled on the right dose and medication, we will only give them to him during school days. That is our plan. We are just following his doctors orders.

Yes absolutely, not contradicting the doctor! I guess I’m just saying that the meds do ‘change’ their personality, but only as long as the dose lasts. They’ve transformed DS’s life at school, he used to fall off his chair all day long and couldn’t concentrate at all 😢

I think it's just a shock to see him so quiet. He's usually talking nonstop and on the move constantly! He's now just silent and not doing much. I'm going to call his doctor in the morning and see what she suggests. Thank you for your replies 😊

My son is on medikinet XL 20mg but he started off on 5, then 10, then 15 over a period of months. As he grows, we can see when he starts to need it. The Dr did say that above 20mg can make children more zoned out I suppose. My son can't cope with anything when he doesn't have his medication but also has ASD. You could try lowering it to 15mg. Don't speak to a pharmacist, speak to your child's consultant. Medikinet is a stimulant and there are other meds that may better suit your child.

My dd was the same for the first week or so then she levelled out. She needs to go up a further dose as they have almost no effect the last few months but I cannot get hold of her paediatrician. Was so nice to actually see her settled for a while. She takes them everyday and I will continue to do so her ADHD doesn't go away on weekends or after school. She still has homework to concentrate on and activities to join in with.

My DS8 started on 5mg, then increased to 10mg then 15mg - roughly a week between increases.

He definitely seemed different when we first increased to 15mg - to the point I considered stopping it completely as he was so full of anger and snapping at every little thing which wasn't usual for him.

However after a few days it did settle so we continued. Now he takes them school/important days where he needs to concentrate only. His eating and sleeping is pretty similar, though it wasn't great to begin with..

I would contact your doctor if this carries on, as they'll be best to suggest options. (we also started during holidays so we could keep an eye on him)

So it seems that my sons dosage has been increased rather quickly compared to most others, I wonder if it has anything to do with age and weight and perhaps the needs of the particular child? My son has autism too and really struggles to cope with everyday demands, tasks, etc. School is a particular struggle for him

My son should be on 10mg medikinet but he refuses to take it. I don't know whether to make him, which is a struggle, he's 12, so I have to say I'll take his phone away, or let him not take it, when I really think it helps him. Do your kids just take it with no bother?

I hope the side effects subside soon. It's so sad to see him so quiet. I'm sure there will be days when my son will also need medication outside of a school setting. We aren't ruling that out. But for now, it is mainly for school x

I'm glad to hear that everything settled for your DS. I will call his doctor in the morning and see what she advises. Thanks for your reply 😊

My son is 12. He won't swallow the capsules so we pop it in a yoghurt

My DS is happy to take it, and he hates anything 'medical' related.

He has ASD and ADHD (inattentive) and was so upset about his inability to concentrate and listen in school. We had to discuss over a few months the positives of medication and how it would (hopefully) help him in class.

We don't push it and I frequently check in that he is still happy to take it. I'm not sure we would manage if he was against it, and I've always let it be his choice (whilst highlighting how things have changed for the better)

So initially, before starting medication, we sat my son down and explained everything to him about the medication and how it would help him. He was certain he wouldn't be taking it, but after more explaining and him understanding about how it works and how it will benefit him, he was willing to try. If we hadn't had that conversation with him and just expected him to take it, he would never have taken it. Have you ever sat down with him and explained what it is and what it does, and how it will benefit him?

Yes, several times. But he either says it does nothing or it changes his personality and he won't be funny anymore. The adhd nurse also explained it to him in great detail. He still doesn't want to take it and I don't know whether I should 'make' him or not.

Yes, putting it on a yoghurt works well!

That's exactly the reason why my son didn't want to take it. I just kept reassuring him.
Could you speak to his doctor and ask what the best thing to do would be? I can't advise you to make him take it because I don't know if that's the right thing to do, but you are his parent and you know what is best for him, but when he's refusing it's so difficult

We moved fairly rapidly from 10-15mg, I did have to warn that the earlier lower doses might not seem to make much difference but to give it a chance to get working.

It's really hard as obviously we can only go by what they are telling us. My DS still has the same personality, but he describes it as his mind can concentrate better and he can listen better.

Perhaps focus the discussion on it helping with the things he has difficulties with and whether he wants to give it a chance to improve those. Has the doctor said 10mg is the highest they'd want to go to?

I don't think I'd make DS take it if he didn't want to though

It's so tricky!