Frequently Asked Questions

After discussing next steps in your follow up appointment you can get in touch with us to book yourinitial consultation - this can happen within a matter of days. We will work to suit your needs.

For struggling to physically take the medication, please try;   • Taking pills with water, or juice. • Ask them to lean their head forward, not back! Tipping back is the natural reaction but can cause people to feel like they are choking. • Practice with small sweets or bits of bread, and increase until they are comfortable at the size of the pill.    DO NOT tamper with your medication without consulting your prescriber, as some are modified release and tampering.   For refusing to take the prescribed medication • Medication refusal is common and may signal a need for more autonomy or communication. Advice for these situations are;  • Listen more than you speak: Ask open-ended questions (“How do you feel about your medicine?” “What bothers you most about it?”).  • Validate their feelings: Let them know you respect their opinions and experiences.  • Avoid ultimatums: Collaboration, not confrontation, works best.  • Involve your child in decisions: Give them age-appropriate choices, such as timing/format of medication, or whether to try scheduled “medication holidays”.

Experiencing side effects while trying a new medication is common and expected, however the medication’s benefits should always outweigh the side effects. Common side effects: Methylphenidate immediate release common side effects: Reduced appetite, insomnia, headache, increased heart rate Methylphenidate modified release common side effects: Reduced appetite, insomnia, headache, increased heart rate Lisdexamfetamine Modified release common side effects: Decreased appetite, dry mouth, insomnia, weight loss Dexamfetamine Immediate release common side effects: Appetite loss, mood swings, dizziness, insomnia Atomoxetine common side effects: Fatigue, dry mouth, nausea, mood swings What can I do to mitigate side effects? Sleep disturbances: • Discuss strategies for improving sleep hygiene, such as maintaining a consistent bedtime and avoiding stimulants late in the day • Adjust medication timing to earlier in the daya • If issues persist, contact the clinic to book in an appointment to explore non-stimulant options. Weight loss/appetite suppression: • Encourage regular, balanced meals and consistent meal times • Suggest taking medication with or immediately after food • Consider implementing medication-free days, if clinically appropriatea • Monitor weight trends; if persistent issues arise, contact the clinic to book in an appointment to look at dose adjustments or alternative treatments Medication losing efficacy • Confirm adherence to the prescribed regimen and evaluate lifestyle factors such as stress, diet, and sleep • Screen for co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression • Consider a temporary medication holiday, if appropriate. • If no improvement, please contact the clinic to book in an appointment to explore alternative medication options. Please get in contact with the clinic and your general practitioner if you are experiencing any of these symptoms: • significant weight loss — unexplained reductions of more than 5% of body weight; • new cardiac symptoms — if cardiac symptoms resolve after discontinuing the medication, it is recommended to explore alternative treatment options; • severe psychiatric symptoms — including suicidal ideation or anxiety that cannot be managed in primary care; • difficulty managing symptoms — despite optimal dosing, symptom control remains inadequate; • unmanageable side effects — persisting issues that cannot be resolved in primary care; and • medication concerns — any suspicion of misuse or diversion.