There has been a shortage of several different kinds of prescription ADHD medications. The result is that many parents have been seeking a substitution for the drug that their child uses. There are many factors to consider before switching medications.
Since the middle of 2011, there has been a shortage of many types of ADHD medications. Some parents have been calling every pharmacy in their area, hoping that one of them could fill their child’s prescription. These drugs have become very elusive.
The biggest reason why there is a shortage of these drugs has to do with a new policy that was created by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It places limits on the amount of ADHD drugs that can be manufactured. The purpose of that limitation is to prevent people from using these types of drugs illegally. More problems result when one manufacturer makes both the name brand and the generic version of a particular ADHD drug.
Parents who cannot find a pharmacy who can fill their child’s prescription for ADHD medication might consider finding a substitution for that medication. The first step is to speak with your child’s doctor.
The doctor might know of another ADHD drug that is in the same class of medications as the one that your child is currently using. If your child is using a generic version of a drug, there is the possibility that the brand name version is easier to obtain.
Your health insurance plan might, or might not, cover the medication that you are switching to. Health insurers tend to have a very specific list of drugs that they will cover. If the one you are substituting is not on that list, you may be paying more for it than you may have expected to. It might be advantageous for you to bring the list of approved drugs with you when you talk to your child’s doctors.
Another thing to keep in mind is that no two drugs are exactly the same. Remember how difficult it was when your child first was placed on ADHD medication?
It probably took some time for your doctor to figure out the best dosage. It likely involved a lot of observation, in order to get some data that could help your doctor determine if the current dosage of the new medication was too low, too high, or just right. Most children experience a wide range of emotions, energy levels, and moods, while adjusting to a new medication. This whole process will happen again if you decide to get a substitution for your child’s ADHD medication.
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