Q&A

Your prescribing clinician will require:

1. Height, weight, blood pressure and pulse
2. Medical diagnoses
3. Current medications prescribed or taken over-the-counter
4. Medication allergies
5. Whether anyone in the family has a history of early heart disease:
   • Pacemaker
   • Heart problems below the age of 40

Please complete the Physical Health Form which will ask for all of this information

• Methylphenidate has different preparations which vary in the speed the drug is released into the body. Different preparations are suitable for different children.
• The immediate-release form is short-acting, and can be used to work out the correct level of dose during dose changes. It is taken up to 3 times a day.
• The modified or slow release forms are either 8-hourly or 12-hourly. These forms are more convenient as the child/young person doesn’t need to take a dose at school. Your clinician will guide you more about this.

Methylphenidate comes in different forms and preparations. How you take it will vary depending on this. For electronic medication leaflets for each, please visit the emc website.

Read this Information leaflet for parent and carers on Methylphenidate for ADHD.

The medications work on different chemical messengers. They affect the parts of the brain that control attention and organise our behaviour.

More information can be found below:

• Methylphenidate for children  
• ADHD and hyperkinetic disorder for parents and carers

Before taking the medication, your child will have some physical health checks including their heart rate, blood pressure, height and weight. Sometimes we might need to do a heart tracing to measure the electrical activity in the heart called an electrocardiogram, otherwise known as an ECG. We might also need to do a blood test. 

While taking the medication, your clinician will monitor your child’s heart rate, blood pressure, height and weight on a regular basis, alongside checking for any side effects.

You will find that:

• Your child’s concentration is better
• Their feelings of restlessness or over-activity are less
• They control themselves better.
• Sometimes school or teachers notice the improvement before you do.

Some helpful things to know:

DO's

• Give the medication at the times you were told by your doctor or pharmacist
• Keep appointments for regular review of medication
• Store the medication safely
• Take the medication as directed by your prescriber and pharmacist
• Make sure your child drinks enough, especially in hot weather and while exercising.

DON’T 's

• Double the dose if they miss a dose of medication
• Stop giving the medication without discussing with the doctor
• Give the medication to anyone else, even if you feel their difficulties are similar to your child’s.

Please visit the following websites for further support and resources:

• Treatment for Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• ADHD and hyperkinetic disorder for parents and carers
• East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust FAQs

• Yes, the UK has lots of support groups available for children/adolescents or parents of children with ADHD. Local support comes from the Centre for ADHD & Autism Support.
   
• Other support groups include:
  • The UK ADHD Partnership
  • Addiss - National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service