ADHD Adderall Drug Holidays for Children

Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) is a short-term stimulant medication that is often prescribed for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Its effects only last for several hours at a time, so it is possible to take it for ADHD on an as-needed basis. Some parents choose to skip ADHD medications altogether on weekends, holidays, summers, or other breaks from school in what are called 'drug holidays.'

Between 25% and 70% of families use medication breaks to manage side effects or evaluate how their child does without the prescription drug. However, the resulting ADHD symptoms can interfere with your child's behavior, relationships with family members, and how they do socially. This makes drug holidays less popular than they used to be.

Pros and Cons of ADHD Drug Holidays

There are pros and cons to taking a drug holiday. If you're considering this approach, it's important that the benefits outweigh the risks. Whatever you decide, always consult the child's healthcare provider before making any medication changes.

Pros

A drug holiday might be used to:

• Alleviate side effects. Reduced appetite and poor weight gain can be problems for some children taking stimulants for ADHD. If their medication is working well for them otherwise, not taking it on weekends may help improve their appetite during this time.
  

• Evaluate the effect the medication is having. Trying a drug holiday can give a sense of what difference the medication is making and to see if your child needs to keep taking it.
• Manage drug tolerance. If a medication isn't as effective as it once was, instead of increasing the dosage, a health provider may try a drug holiday.

Cons

The main problem with skipping medication during certain periods, such as weekends and summer, is that a child's ADHD symptoms won't be under control during those times. While this may not be a major issue if your child has attentional problems that interfere with schoolwork, not taking medication can become a bigger problem if they are also impulsive and hyperactive.

Also, some children experience more side effects on Mondays if they've been off their medication for the weekend, as they get used to it again. This can be problematic. But there are other negative effects of drug holidays as well.

For instance, stopping ADHD drugs that have been taken for a month or more can lead to withdrawal while also increasing ADHD symptoms. Thus, taking drug holidays may do more harm than good.

Remember that ADHD isn't usually just a school problem. If your child functions better with medication, it is probably a good idea to take it every day and not skip doses on weekends or other school holidays.

Managing ADHD Medication Issues

If your child is experiencing problems with their medication, speak with their healthcare provider. There may be another option that is better for them, depending on the issues they are experiencing.

Side Effects

If ADHD medication ​side effects are the reason you're considering a drug holiday, talk to the child's care provider first. The provider may be able to adjust the dosage or switch medications to ease these effects.

If the provider wants to try a new medication, they may switch your child to a different stimulant like Concerta (methylphenidate) or Focalin XR (dexmethylphenidate). Or they may choose to try a non-stimulant medication like Strattera (atomoxetine) or Qelbree (viloxazine) instead, helping to resolve some of the effects of stimulant-based treatment options.

Mornings and Evenings

Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) and other stimulant medications can interfere with sleep. So, it's beneficial for them to be out of your child's system by the time bedtime arises. One way to make sure this occurs is for them to take their medicine in the morning.

Jornay PM (methylphenidate hydrochloride), a methylphenidate-based stimulant, is another option that can help make early mornings easier. It's taken the evening before and designed to release very slowly until morning, providing benefits that carry through until the late afternoon.

If sleep is still an issue, a third option is to try non-stimulant ADHD medications. Your child's care provider can help decide the best medication for them based on the effects that they are experiencing.

Skipping a Dose of ADHD Medication

In most cases, if you simply forget to give your child a dose of their ADHD stimulant one day, you can usually restart it the next day.

You do want to be careful that you don't give an extended-release stimulant like Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine/amphetamine), Concerta (methylphenidate), or Focalin XR (dexmethylphenidate) too late in the morning or afternoon or your child will likely have a lot of trouble going to sleep that night.

Summary

It's important to speak with your child's care provider before having them take a break from or stop their ADHD medication. Work with the provider and tell them the issues your child is experiencing on Adderall or other ADHD medication and why you might be considering a drug holiday. This can help them resolve the issues in the safest, most effective way. Drug holidays are not the only option, and there may be other options that can minimize side effects without disrupting the beneficial effects of your child's medication.