Most ADHD medications are from a group of medications called stimulants, and are classified as controlled substances by the Drug Enforcement Agency. These medications are carefully regulated and require that certain procedures be followed in order to fill the prescriptions.
Because of the condition and the possible side effects of the medication, children with ADHD need close follow up. WE need to check on how school is going, his/her emotional well being at home and at school, as well as closely monitor his height, weight, and blood pressure.
Your child will need to come to the office about once a month until he/she is stable on the medication and all is going well. After that, we will need to see him in the office every 3-4 months for re-evaluation. If he/she is having any problems at home or at school, or if you have any concerns about his behavior or the medication, please call the office and schedule an appointment, so that we can re-evaluate the medications and/or the dosage to make sure you child’s needs are being met.
Stimulant Medication Procedures for ADD/ADHD
- Please call the office at least 3 days before the medicine runs out so that we can have your prescription ready for you to pick up.
- Please schedule your office visits at least one month in advance (when you pick up your prescription). We do not schedule ADHD consultations on Saturday, and we cannot guarantee after school appointment times, so please try and check ahead of time to see when your child has off days from school (he/she will need to be seen only 3-4 times each year as long as he/she is doing well on medication). If it is necessary to take your child out of school for an appointment, we will be happy to provide you with a doctor’s note for school. No appointments will be available after 3:00 pm unless they are scheduled at least one month in advance.
- Please be advised that no prescriptions will be given without the necessary medical checkups…..so make sure you plan ahead.
- If you need to cancel your child’s ADHD consultation, please do so at least 24 hours in advance so that we can make room for other children to be seen, and to avoid a “missed appointment” charge.
The symptoms of ADD/ADHD are usually treated very successfully with medication…..please help us to take the best possible care of your child’s needs, as well as those of the other patient’s in our practice.
Posted in: Policies and Procedures