EXAM 4 Pharmacotherapy ADHD Dr. Thomason Flashcards
What is the recommended ADHD treatment for children younger than 6 years?
6 months of behavioral classroom treatment and parental training before starting meds
based on the Guidelines
What are the risk factors for developing ADHD?
-Genes -> also contribute to other disorders:
schizophrenia, mood disorder, autism
-Mother:
often young, without a father, smoking during pregnancy, preeclampsia (HTN during pregnancy), early delivery
Which test is done to assess ADHD?
MRI test while the child is doing tasks
-prefrontal, frontal, parietal, and cerebellum can be involved
When does a child need to be evaluated?
!!!
-age 4-18y
-academic or behavioral problems
-> Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity: it has to occur before 12y !!!
-6 or more symptoms have to be present for 6 !!! months in 2 settings (often school and at home)
-5 symptoms if 17y or older
What is the first-line therapy for ADHD?
Stimulants
-meds work best in combo with behavioral treatment
-pharmacologic treatment is protective
less unintended injury; less risk for SUD, obesity, car accidents, criminality
Which drug is preferred in adult and young (<5y) patients with diagnosed ADHD?
!!!
adults: start with Lisdexamfetamine or dexamfetamine (Lisdex is a prodrug is safer for abuse) -> may switch to MPH or DMPH
children: start with Methylphenidate or dexmethylphenidate -> may switch to LDX or DEX
Which drug may be used if LDX or MPH doesn’t work?
Atomoxetine or bupropion
Why do we start behavioral treatment first in young children?
in less than 6y:
they may develop mood lability and dysphoria when started on a stimulant
What are the side effects of stimulants?
Know it well
-decreased appetite, stomach pain
-sleep disturbance
-headache
less common:
-hallucination (too much dopamine can cause it)
-growth supression
-labile mood
-cardiac risk -> risk for sudden death in kids!!!!
-BP goes up -> monitor
-priapism in males
-skin discoloration in methylphenidate patch
How to manage insomnia?
-give the first earlier, and the last dose earlier
-lower the last dose
-use melatonin or guanfacine or clonidine
How to manage irritability or jitteriness?
assess for bipolar disorder
-reduce the dose
-add a mood stabilizer
-add 2nd gen antipsychotic (not preferred)
How to manage Dysphoria, Zombie-like state, and hallucinations?
-reduce the dose
-change the drug
for hallucinations: STOP the stimulant and reassess the diagnosis (they may have bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
-> Patients with psychotic illness should not be on a stimulant -> it causes hallucinations
Warning about stimulants
avoid in children with structural cardiac abnormalities or other heart problems
-adults: hx of structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease or other heart disease
->it can cause sudden cardiac death
->use atomoxetine
How much do stimulants increase BP in children?
-3-10 beats/min
-BP goes up by 2 to 14 mmHg
What is the impact of stimulants on growth and weight in children?
1 cm per year of treatment
10 lbs weight deficitif over 2 years (decreased appetitive)
-not significant height deficit, probably they catch up with eating while their off the stimulant (weekend, summer break)
What causes Raynaud’s syndrome?
peripheral release of catecholamines -> causing Vasoconstriction in response to cold or stress
->dose-dependent: decrease the dose or change the drug
-cold fingers and toes
-color change in fingers and toes
What should be monitored for patients on stimulants?
-BP and HR
-weight (look for weight loss)
-appetite
-sleep (insomnia)
-headache
-GI distress
Drug interactions of Methylphenidate
CYP2D6
-don’t use with MAOi -> would cause hypertensive crisis
Drug interactions of Amphetamines
-TCA
-phenytoin
-phenobarbital
-warfarin
-don’t use with MAOi -> would cause hypertensive crisis
