Non-Prescription Medications
DHEA
Saint Johns Wort
Melatonin
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DHEA
One published study showed blood levels of DHEA (dihydroepiandosterone sulfate, a neurosteroid) to be lower in patients with more severe ADHD. Another study found that in children successfully treated with methylphenidate, DHEA blood levels of DHEA rose by 23% and those of a related compound, DHEA-S, rose by over 50%. However, two studies is a very small number upon which to base a treatment strategy. Also the increase after successful treatment might be just a side effect and have nothing to do with the patients’ improvement. Nevertheless the findings are provocative and hopefully researchers will follow up on them. If you have been treated for ADD or ADHD with DHEA, kindly click here to send me an email about your experience.
Saint Johns Wort
54 children ages six to seventeen with ADHD were treated with either Saint Johns Wort or a placebo. The children didn’t know which one they were getting. Those who took the Saint Johns Wort did no better than those who took the placebo. (J. Amer. Med. Assn 2008)
Melatonin for treating insomnia from ADHD
In a placebo controlled trial, melatonin appeared to improve sleep but not behavior in children (6-12 years old) with at least one year history of difficulty falling asleep at least four nights a week. The children were not taking any other medication during the study. Each evening at 7 PM they took 3 mg or 6 mg of melatonin (depending on body weight). Those taking melatonin, compared to those taking placebo, fell asleep 30 minutes earlier, slept 20 minutes more, got to sleep sooner after going to bed. and were less restless in bed. However, there was no improvement in core problems of ADD, including behavioral or emotional problems, attention, or quality of life. On follow up two years after the study was completed, 19 of 24 patients were found to be continuing to take melatonin. Melatonin should be used only for severe and persistent insomnia. Its long term effects on puberty have not been studied. It should be used with caution in children with epilepsy. It is not known whether the benefits found in this study apply to adults with ADHD though I have a number of adult patients who have found it helpful. The long acting formulation may be more helpful getting through the night than the short acting one.
It seems there is almost nothing available without prescription.
It will take too long for me to get my diagnosis and treatment through the health system, until then it would be great to have an alternative on hand to help me keep focused, to keep on track etc. Has anybody found anything that works?
I can’t answer all the questions about his behavior but I can tell you that Vyvanse usually works for ten hours, but for some people it lasts only six. This happens more often so for people who are heavier. They need to take it more than once a day. Each dose should be taken about a half hour before the previous dose wears off. Check with your doctor about this as I can’t make recommendations for someone I have not seen personally.