Can I alternate meds for 7 yr old?

[GiaMalone]

Hi, I am new here and desperate for support. I am realizing that I need it and should have pursued it a long time ago.

I have a 7 year-old diagnosed with ADHD at 5 1/2. She is on Methylphinidate 27mg and Guanfacine 1mg. She was also prescribed a short acting stimulant for those afternoon meltdowns, 10mg ritalin. We eliminated the ritalin for various reasons one being her appetite.

Like clockwork, everyday, we give her the 27mg in the morning after breakfast. She barely touches her lunch, then Guanfacine after school. She will eat a bit right after school and no appetite until 7:30pm At this point she is starving and she will eat a good meal.

So my question is, on weekends and holidays only, can i give her the 10mg ritalin only, 3 times a day between meals and go back to the 27mg Methylphinidate while in school. Will it hurt anything? I appreciate your input.☺

[Adam081911]

Hi, my 6 year old son with ADHD takes Ritalin (for focus) on school days. He skips meds on non school days due to low appetite. There is no behavior or emotional differences when he's not on meds, but everybody is different so I'm not sure how your daughter will react when she's not on meds.

How long she's been on those meds? Has she lost weight?

You should consult with the doctor, but does she need even short acting Ritalin on weekends and holidays?

Have you tried to skip all or some of those meds before??

I'm sorry my comments are not so helpful, but I just wanted to share my experience.

[GiaMalone in reply to Adam081911]

Thanks, yes it was helpful!

[seller]

You should read up on the stimulant medications - they do not "stick around" in the body, so skipping them is fine except, of course, for the behavioral implications. I think it's fine to skip meds with younger kids, but once she reaches middle school, she will probably need the meds all the time due to other activities.

[GiaMalone in reply to seller]

Thanks!