Ask the Experts

Persistent Sleep Troubles

“My eight-year-old, who takes Strattera, can’t stay asleep for the entire night. His doctor put him on clonidine, but it hasn’t helped. Do you have any other suggestions?”

Clonidine is not a sleeping pill, but its sedating effect can help some children fall asleep. Because it didn’t work for your son, I would consider stopping the Strattera temporarily to see if that might be the cause of his sleeplessness. If it is, your son may need to try a different ADHD medication.

[How ADHD Makes a Good Night’s Sleep Seem Like a Dream]