Never take stimulants with citrus juices - The citric acid will negate their effectiveness. Solution: Wait 2 hours, and then have your OJ.

Legally doctors cannot prescribe more than a month’s-worth of stimulants. So, don’t get upset with the doctor.

Many medications have what are called "acclimation" effects. They are like "side-effects", but only occur during the first 1-4 days. Typical "acclimation" effects are mild GI distress (upper &/or lower), mild headache, mild light-headedness, mild edginess.

If you feel you "must" read the list of potential "Adverse" effects listed for the medication(s) you are taking, go ahead. But, PLEASE BE AWARE, those lists consists of every adverse effect that has ever happened with that medication. Many of the listed "adverse" effects happened to only one in several thousand people. Just for a fair comparison, also look-up the list of potential "adverse" effects of Aspirin or Tylenol.

Never take stimulant medications after 11 a.m. They will keep you from falling asleep!

Most long-lasting medications, in pill or tablet form, CAN be broken WITHOUT damaging their long-lasting properties. Examples are, Concerta and Wellbutrin XL. Many doctors and pharmacists are not aware of this, and will tell you not to.

Many adults with ADD/ADHD do well on one of the new long-lasting stimulants (Concerta, Ritalin LA, Adderall XR). However, many find that that they need to take two doses per day in order to obtain sustained benefits throughout the whole day.

Never let a pharmacist tell you that Ritalin SR, Methylphenidate SR, Concerta, Ritalin LA, Focalin, Metadate, and Methylin are all the same. Ritalin SR and Methylphenidate SR are old "long-lasting" formulations that are very ineffective. Concerta, Ritalin LA, Focalin, Metadate and Methylin are all new long-lasting preparations. However, each manufacturer uses a different slow-release technology. Therefore, each of the new versions of Ritalin (methylphenidate) ARE really different in terms of how people respond.

Give stimulant medication to a preschooler??!! Yes! But, use caution and only if their ADHD symptoms seriously impair their functioning (e.g., unable to attend preschool due to behavior problems). The National Institute of Mental Health and Johns Hopkins University have both done recent studies indicating that this is safe and appropriate.

Anti-depressants dangerous for teenagers? Not really. Don’t blame the medication. The REAL problem is doctors and other clinicians who don’t do a proper evaluation and who prescribe medication too quickly. Here’s the TRUTH – anti-depressants are dangerous for teenagers who have Bipolar Disorder. Anti-depressants can worsen their Bipolar symptoms!

Aricept, a medication for early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease, can also be beneficial for ADD/ADHD adults who have significant short-term memory problems. Many doctors, even psychiatrists, are not aware of this.