Strattera to Attend

My son was recently diagnosed with ADHD. We prefered Strattera over the other medications offered. Currently he is taking Strattera, if I wanted to switch him to Attend what would be the best way to do that? I have read over the information you have provided in the site about caffeine, his diet and so on. The Strattera does seem to be working but I want something all natural that won't have side-effects. Thanks!

Hi W

Thanks for writing, and here are my thoughts...

First, there is a lot of wisdom in this saying, "If want you are doing works, don't mess with it -- and if it doesn't work, do something else."

I understand your desire to get your child off of Strattera, but if he's being successful with it, and not showing any side effects, don't be in a rush to do so. Take your time.

Attend is a really good alternative to Strattera, or other medications, but make any transition from one to the other slowly and carefully. Consult your doctor.

When Gregory Young developed Attend he suggested that the best way to transition was to begin taking the Attend slowly (1 capsule per day for a few days, 2 caps per day for a few days, and slowly up to 4 caps per day, monitoring all the way.) Then, after about 30-45 days one could consider decreasing slowing the prescription medication. Sometimes the timing was clear as the person began feeling "over medicated" and that was an indication that it was time to decrease the dosage of the medication.

Then the trick is to see what the smallest, yet effective, dose is. Many people taking Ritalin have reported that they can get the same benefit from 1/2 their original "effective" dose after beginning Attend. Some are able to discontinue Ritalin altogether, while others still take small amounts but far less than they had been taking previously. This is one of those "art" not "science" projects that will take some trial and perhaps
some error to find the right adjustments.

Be sure to take a look at the Different Types of ADHD
http://newideas.net/adhd/different-types-adhd
to see if there are some other formulas that you should be using for your particular type
of ADHD. Also use our eating recommendations including essential fatty acid
supplementation. You have the greatest chance of success by doing all these together.

Let me know how it all goes

Doug Cowan

The information in this email is not to be considered medical advice as (1) we are not
physicians, and (2) no one can practice medicine across the internet. Always consult your
own physician or health care provider. The information at the ADHD Information Library
and from its staff is for educational purposes only.