Trenna Sutcliffe, M.D.

Yes. Vyvanse is actually called a prodrug. It's actually just got a little molecule attached to it that needs to be cleaved in order for it to work. But they're all, yeah, the same.

Yes. Vyvanse is actually called a prodrug. It's actually just got a little molecule attached to it that needs to be cleaved in order for it to work. But they're all, yeah, the same.

So the way these medications work is they increase dopamine and norepinephrine in the synapses between the brain cells in the parts of our brain that are important for executive functioning, attention, inhibiting impulses.

So the way these medications work is they increase dopamine and norepinephrine in the synapses between the brain cells in the parts of our brain that are important for executive functioning, attention, inhibiting impulses.

So the part of the brain, the prefrontal lobes, where all the executive functioning, attention happens, our brain cells have to communicate in order to see that behavior, attention. These medications, although they're called stimulants, what they do is they increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in these synapses, the gap between the neurons, and they improve the electrical activity

So the part of the brain, the prefrontal lobes, where all the executive functioning, attention happens, our brain cells have to communicate in order to see that behavior, attention. These medications, although they're called stimulants, what they do is they increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in these synapses, the gap between the neurons, and they improve the electrical activity

activity and communication between brain cells.

activity and communication between brain cells.

So the side effects can be annoying, but they're not life-threatening. The most common one is decreased appetite at lunchtime if you're taking a medication that lasts the whole day. So there's medications that last three or four hours, which we used to use a lot. a couple of decades ago when I first started doing this. But about 20 years ago, we started using extended release a lot more.

So the side effects can be annoying, but they're not life-threatening. The most common one is decreased appetite at lunchtime if you're taking a medication that lasts the whole day. So there's medications that last three or four hours, which we used to use a lot. a couple of decades ago when I first started doing this. But about 20 years ago, we started using extended release a lot more.

And so extended release is that it lasts eight hours or 10 hours for the day or 12 hours a day. And so those medications impact your appetite at lunch. Breakfast and dinner are usually fine. There's this chance that it impacts sleep onset, which is really important because sleep is super important kids, but it can impact sleep onset.

And so extended release is that it lasts eight hours or 10 hours for the day or 12 hours a day. And so those medications impact your appetite at lunch. Breakfast and dinner are usually fine. There's this chance that it impacts sleep onset, which is really important because sleep is super important kids, but it can impact sleep onset.

And if that's a problem, we adjust the timing of the medication in the morning.

And if that's a problem, we adjust the timing of the medication in the morning.

Yeah. They're really easy to use because you take it in the morning. They start to work. The extended release will start to work within an hour. And then they're working for the majority of the day. Then they come out of your system at the end of the day. And so tomorrow, unless you give the medication to your child again.

Yeah. They're really easy to use because you take it in the morning. They start to work. The extended release will start to work within an hour. And then they're working for the majority of the day. Then they come out of your system at the end of the day. And so tomorrow, unless you give the medication to your child again.

It's like they've never been on it.

It's like they've never been on it.

Yeah. So when I first meet a young child, I generally start with methylphenidate, and that's what most clinicians do with little kids. And the reason for that is that the meta-analyses show that Kids tolerate methylphenidate a tiny bit better than amphetamine, although amphetamine is a little bit more bang for your buck when you're treating the symptoms. That being said, no kid is a statistic.

Yeah. So when I first meet a young child, I generally start with methylphenidate, and that's what most clinicians do with little kids. And the reason for that is that the meta-analyses show that Kids tolerate methylphenidate a tiny bit better than amphetamine, although amphetamine is a little bit more bang for your buck when you're treating the symptoms. That being said, no kid is a statistic.