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Experiences of meflanate

4 replies

Sunnyjac · 24/11/2024 16:19

Hi everyone
My DD has just started taking meflanate for ADHD. Has anyone else’s child had this and what was their experience? My DD is a bit disappointed that she’s not miraculously motivated to do homework but it is only day 1.
Thanks

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woodenrailway · 25/11/2024 11:17

What dosage is she on, and how old is your daughter? Probably she'll notice more difference as she progresses through titration. Or it might simply be that the medication had worn off by the time homework time came round!
Bless her cotton socks that she was hoping for motivation to do homework! And good on her for wanting to improve herself.

For my child starting on a different variety of methylphenidate, the difference was day and night within about 20 mins - literally able to walk in a straight line which hadn't previously been possible. But although it was obvious to everyone else in the family, it took said child about ten years to be able to notice the difference with and without medication.

Assuming you're going through titration and your daughter is on a small dose at the moment, take good notes on what you think the difference is, ready for your next appointment. Maybe your daughter needs an extra appointment a bit sooner than planned. You could always write and explain this, if getting an appointment is a challenge.

Sunnyjac · 25/11/2024 18:31

Thank you @woodenrailway ! So helpful

She’s started on 10mg going up to 20 after 7 days. She’s almost 15 and we have a follow up appointment next week. Yes to titration, it’s all new to us. I will make notes, hadn’t thought of that. Had to collect her from school today as she was feeling rough, likely side effects but her sister was sick so possibly lurgy

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woodenrailway · 26/11/2024 16:44

Hi @Sunnyjac no problemo! It's a big new world, isn't it.

I am not a pharmacist and know nothing about dosages but from what you say it sounds as though the initial dose is on the low side - which might be why it didn't have the magical effects your daughter was hoping for. If the dose is on the low side, then that'll be why it didn't help with the homework - the effects will have worn off by the time she got to her homework.
It would be worth keeping a diary for these seven days, to take to your next appointment. Make sure you mention about the lurgy, as that's bound not to have helped.
Other things to look out for: mealtimes, bedtime, amount of sleep, homework, how your daughter has felt during the day at school. Are they better or worse? Could go either way. You want to know whether it's the right medication, and whether it would be better with a higher dose.
Other medication options include a top-up dose for the afternoon, to help with homework. Maybe you'll need to ask about this in a roundabout way; "oh, the medication is really good in the morning but seems to have run out by the time school ends, and then Jane finds it really difficult to get homework done. Is there anything we can do about that?"

Aged 15, you want to get on top of the medication pronto ahead of GCSEs. It will take time to get it right - if you keep good notes then that will help. Take good notes over the weekend, when you can observe your daughter.

If you can, make friends with your pharmacist! They are super knowledgable people, and often really interested in this medication. In my experience, they know considerably more about it than any of the GPs I've met. They're really good people to be able to ask little questions. I have often found they're glad to talk about it - better than another conversation about Calpol!

Wishing you and your daughters all the very best.

Sunnyjac · 27/11/2024 21:41

Brilliant advice @woodenrailway thank you very much

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