Ask the Doctor: Critical Questions About ADHD Drugs

Considering ADHD drug therapy for your child? Ask your doctor the right questions.

by Peter Jensen, M.D.

Before agreeing to start your child on attention-deficit drug therapy, be sure to get answers to the following questions:

• What is the diagnosis?

• What is the medicine, and how does it work?

• Have studies been done on it?

• Which tests need to be done before my child starts the medication?

• How soon will I see an improvement?

• How often will my child have to take the medicine?

• How will the decision be made to stop it?

• What are the negative side effects of the medicine?

• What will happen if my child doesn't take it?

From Making the System Work for Your Child with ADHD, by Peter S. Jensen, M.D. (© 2004 Guilford Press, reprinted with permission.)