ADHD Medication Management (S1:E15)

In this episode we discuss attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD) medication management with Marissa Schiel, MD. Dr. Schiel is the Medical Director of the Outpatient Psychiatry Program at Children's Colorado and an assistant professor of child psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Also joining us is Danielle Stutzman, R.Ph., a clinical pharmacist at Children's Colorado with a special interest in psychiatry medication.

In this episode:

• The importance of getting a detailed history when assessing a child for ADHD
• Understanding the spectrum of ADHD symptoms and how they affect a child's function
• How to approach the medication management conversation when it comes to ADHD
• The most common side effects that are associated with stimulants or psychotropic medication
• Management strategies for dealing with potential medication side effects
• The importance of screening a child for cardiac concerns before prescribing stimulant medications
• Understanding the functional benefits of the two different classes of stimulants
• The ideal target doses for specific ADHD medications
• A recommended follow-up regime and titration strategy for patients
• How to counsel families on medication management as the child ages
• Medication recommendations to consider when trialing the non-stimulant class
• Techniques to use in therapeutic relationships with ADHD patients