The Food and Drug Administration has approved of a liquid extended release medication for ADHD. It is called Quillivant XR. This could be really helpful for children (and adults) who require medication in pill form to treat their ADHD and who have difficulty swallowing pills.
Typically, ADHD is treated with a combination of cognitive – behavioral therapy and prescription medication. Acupuncture has been found to also be helpful in reducing some of the symptoms of ADHD. Others feel that a specific diet can help, and there are some parents who prefer to give their child coffee instead of medication.
Prescription ADHD medication comes in the form of a pill or capsule. This can make it difficult for many children, (and some adults), who have problems with swallowing these forms of medication. A potential alternative could be a liquid extended release medication for ADHD that is called Quillivant XR. It has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Researchers preformed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that included 45 children who had ADHD. Each child receive an initial 20mg dose of Quillivant XR in the morning. The dose was titrated weekly, until it reached the optimal amount of 60mg per day.
For the next two weeks, the children alternated between receiving a placebo or the Quillivant XR. Neither the patients, their parents, or the researchers knew which children received the drug, and which got the placebo, on a given day. The behavior of the children was documented by trained observers in a laboratory classroom. The observers used an established behavioral rating scale.
The results showed that the drug significantly improved ADHD symptoms in the children who received it as compared to what the placebo did for them. This was true four hours after the dose was administered, and at every point that measurements were taken (from 45 minutes to 12 hours after dosing).
The Quillivant XR medication for ADHD is not on the market yet. It is expected to be sold from pharmacies sometime in January of 2013. Parents who think this might be a good medication for their child should speak with their child’s doctor about it.
It seems to me that kids who struggle to swallow a pill will have a much easier time taking a liquid form of ADHD medications. However, since it takes time to figure out the correct dosage of any ADHD medication for a particular child, parents need to be prepared for the often difficult process of switching from their child’s current medication to a brand new one.
Image by watashiwani on Flickr