Ask the Experts

Should My Grandson Be a Zombie?

“Last night I observed my grandson about 2 hours after he took his medication for ADHD. It broke my heart to see how it made him into a zombie! Should medication cause this drug-induced haze?

Since I have grandchildren as well, I understand your pain. Please remind your grandson’s parents that being flat or “zombie-like” is an unacceptable effect of stimulant medication and means that the dose is too high for the child. Either the dose should be lowered or a different medication tried.

Please stress that our goal with medication for ADHD is to minimize the ADHD behaviors WITHOUT causing side effects.