2023-07-25 02:00:00
Recently, the topic of children’s drug safety has been heated up, which makes parents inevitably have doubts regarding the use of drugs. For example, some parents worry regarding whether long-term use of related drugs for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) will inhibit height development. The doctor pointed out that parents often have 3 major questions regarding ADHD medication during the outpatient clinic, and I would like to take this opportunity to answer all parents at once!
In order for children with ADHD to increase their concentration, it is possible to prescribe central nervous system stimulants such as Ritalin (short-acting), Prostar, or Lizolone (long-acting) following evaluation by a physician and discussion with parents. Xu Zhengdian, an attending physician in the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychiatry at Tai Adventist Hospital, pointed out that the increase in dopamine enables the interaction and coordination between the frontal lobe and the posterior parietal lobe in sick children, achieving positive effects such as being able to do things rationally, not forgetting, and not procrastinating.
6 Unavoidable Side Effects of Taking ADHD Medications
However, it is unavoidable that most drugs will be accompanied by side effects, Xu Zhengdian explained, such as headache, nausea, stomach cramps, inability to swallow, and diarrhea. And dopamine not only acts on the cranial nerves, but also acts on the peripheral nerves at the same time, so if the heart is stimulated, the child may feel palpitations and rapid heartbeat. The central nervous system stimulant itself also has a refreshing effect. If you take the medicine late, you may suffer from insomnia. In summary, common side effects include:
Headache Nausea Loss of appetite Diarrhea Palpitations, rapid heartbeat Insomnia
In addition to the above side effects, Xu Zhengdian observed that parents often have doubts regarding central nervous system stimulants, such as “will it suppress height and weight?”, “will it make children addicted?” and so on. In fact, there are many things that are easily misunderstood, and the correct knowledge and concepts regarding drugs will be clarified at once.
Do ADHD Medications Cause Weight Loss, Suppress Height?
Pediatric endocrinologist Huang Shigang mentioned that in clinical observations, some parents did go to the endocrinology department for confirmation because their children were taking drugs and felt that their children were short in stature. He believes that parents have these worries because loss of appetite is one of the side effects of drugs. The drug instructions also remind parents to pay attention to the height and weight changes of children taking drugs.
As for whether there is a positive correlation between drugs and height? Huang Shigang added that previous studies have shown that children who take ADHD drugs grow slowly in height, and there may be a slight difference in height compared with children who do not take drugs. However, following he stopped taking the drug and became an adult, his height growth rate did not change much, and it was concluded that there was no significant correlation between the drug and growth and development.
Huang Shigang concluded that there is no direct causal relationship between central nervous system stimulant drugs and height suppression, but this group of children does need to be closely monitored for changes in height and weight, especially children who are relatively short in height. Xu Zhengdian added that during the period when the drug is effective, it may indeed affect the child’s appetite, but following the effect of the drug wears off, it will basically recover, so parents do not need to worry too much.
Xu Zhengdian reminded that if parents are really worried, they can give medicine holidays, such as taking medicine on weekdays, and relying on other training for treatment on weekends. After all, medicine is just a help. The real important part is to train children to learn to concentrate, listen carefully to classes, and stop restlessness. Drugs and training complement each other. Only by establishing good behavior standards can we develop a good state of attention and development when we stop taking drugs in the future.
Can Children Be ‘Addicted’ to ADHD Medications?
Xu Zhengdian said that since children’s nerve conduction system is growing steadily, even with drug stimulation, they still have a certain self-regulation ability. However, if adults take related drugs, their nerve conduction is already quite stable and can only be activated by drug stimulation.
Xu Zhengdian reminded that parents must have a correct concept of medication, and ADHD drugs need to be taken at the right time. They must not take three meals or before going to bed, or do not take medication if they are worried regarding their children’s insomnia. The current ADHD drugs are basically long-acting. Therefore, following taking the drugs regularly and at a stable frequency during the day, the drugs will be slowly metabolized during the whole day’s activities, so that you can sleep better at night.
Even if the child enters high school, he does not need to take medicine in the morning and dinner to maintain concentration. Xu Zhengdian emphasized, “A person can maintain concentration for 10 hours a day is the limit. Let the child relax before going to bed so as not to affect the development.” Otherwise, the child’s appetite will be suppressed due to the side effects of the drug during the day, and the drug will not be able to eat and sleep well at night, which will eventually affect the child’s nutrition and growth. The gain outweighs the gain.
Can’t teach children, children need to take medicine?
Some parents with ADHD children will lose confidence in themselves, and even misunderstand whether it is because of parenting problems that the children need to take medicine. Xu Zhengdian believes that the impulsive problem of diagnosed children is basically born. If there is a need for medication, it must be diagnosed in detail, and it cannot be solved by simply changing living habits. Therefore, it has nothing to do with parenting issues, and parents do not need to deny themselves because of this.
But returning to the most important question, parents should develop a correct concept of drug use, and take the right drug at the right time. Xu Zhengdian added that clinically, the dosage will be adjusted with reference to the child’s weight, living habits, and difficulties. Therefore, parents can leave it to a professional pediatrician without worrying regarding the dosage. Not only can they give the child the most appropriate dosage, but it will also better meet the needs of the child.
Text/Photo by Chen Weitong/Yang Shaochu
Ask the Experts:Huang Shigang, Physician of Pediatric Endocrinology、Zhengdian Xu, Chief Physician of Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychiatry, Taiwan Adventist Hospital
further reading
The devil is in the details! 5 kinds of drugs that infants and young children cannot take, explain in detail the side effects of drugs that you don’t know
All aspects of children’s medicines! 3 tables to understand the age norms and side effects of common cold medicines for children
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