3/30/20 ADHD Medication Answers with Laurie Dupar, PMHNP, RN, PCC - - PDF document

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Class # 5: Cracking the ADHD Medication Maze:

13 Key Questions to Ask Your Doctor: Tools and Strategies for Making Sure Your ADHD Medication is Right for You, How to Get, Afford, and Refill Your Prescriptions with Minimum Hassle

The International ADHD Coach Training Center

ADHD Medication Answers

with

Laurie Dupar, PMHNP, RN, PCC

Nurse Practitioner, ADHD Life Coach & Founder, International ADHD Coach Training Center iACTcenter.com

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Medication Maze

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1. Review - How do you know if your medications are working 2. What every person taking ADHD meds ought to know 3. Avoiding the pitfalls 4. 13 key questions to ask your prescriber 5. Cracking the ADHD Medication Maze: How to get, refill and afford ADHD medications.

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• You can sustain focus on things

normally less interesting

• You get things done
• Less impulsive behavior
• You “feel” calmer
• You have more energy
• You notice details
• You can filter out distractions
• You notice increased memory
• You sleep better and feel more

motivated

• Less “dopamine seeking” behavior
• Increased executive function

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Sleep Appetite ↑ Dopamine = ↑ Brain Action “Rebound” Inconsistent effects Common time limited side effects: Agitation/anxiety Headache/Dry mouth The HARDEST part of taking medication for ADHD…???

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ü You must be your own

advocate ü“Medication log/checklist” üEliminate variables üMedication reminder systems üHave an ADHD medication specialist on your team

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• Classes
• Webinars
• Teleclasses
• Support Groups
• Conferences
• CHADD
• ADDA
• Publications
• Tools

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ü Rating Scale 1-10

ü Keep track of dosages ü Track key symptoms üShare with your prescriber

8 § Consider changing one variable or medication at a time. § Consider doing a “blind” test

§ Try and minimize

“placebo” effects 9

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• Pill case
• Alarms
• Calendars
• Backpacks
• Wallets
• Attach it to a

current habit

• Write it down

Medication Reminder System: How to Remember NOT to Forget

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Not All Prescribers are Created Equal

Medical Doctors Psychiatrists Neurologists Pediatrician Family Practice Internist Nurse Practitioners Physician Assistants (under the

supervision of a physician)

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Key Questions to Ask Your Prescriber

• What type of medication is this? Stimulant or non stimulant?
• How does this medication work in my brain? How does it help my ADHD?
• What negative side effects are normal with this medication?
• What health monitoring checks need to be done, if any?
• Are there any side effects that would warrant me to call you or stop taking this

medication?

• How will I know if this medication is working? What will I notice that is different?
• When do I take this medication? Does it matter if I take it in the morning or at night?
• Do I need to take this medication every day?
• If I want to stop taking this medication, how do I need to do that?
• Do I take this medication with or without food? Does it matter?
• How long will this medication take to start working once I take it?
• How long do the effects of this medication last after I take it?
• What is the plan with regards to following up and adjusting the dose of this

medication? When is our next appointment?

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ADHD Medications as a Schedule ll Substance

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ADHD Medications and Pharmacists

A pharmacist is required to exercise sound professional judgment when making a determination about the legitimacy of a controlled substance prescription.

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Do a “TSA Prescription Pre check” Review. Is it:

• Totally filled out
• Signed
• Accurate

Practice being your pharmacy and pharmacist friendly.

What to Know About Filling Your Prescription

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Insurance & Your Insurance Company’s Role with Medication

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• Payment Assistant Programs (PAP)

– www.NeedyMeds – www.rxassist.org – https://www.rxpharmacycoupons.com

• Drug makers discount

Cards/Prescription discount cards

Good RX.com

• Ask for samples
• Go generic
• Tell your prescriber that cost

matters

• Non pharmacological

interventions

• Flexible Spending Accounts(FSA)

Money-Saving Tips for ADHD Medication

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In This Fifth Class…

1. Review - how do you know if your medications are working 2. What every person taking ADHD meds ought to know 3. Avoiding the pitfalls 4. 13 key questions to ask your prescriber 5. Cracking the ADHD Medication Maze: How to get, refill and afford ADHD medications.

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• 7. When specifically do I take this medication? If once a day,

does it matter if I take it in the morning or at night?

• 8. Do I need to take this medication every day?
• 9. If I want to stop taking this medication, how do I do that?

i.e. slowly decrease the dose, simply stop taking it, call you? 10.Do I take this medication with or without food? Does it matter? 11.How long will this medication take to start working once I take it? 12.How long do the effects of this medication last after I take it? 13.What is the plan with regards to following up and adjusting the dose of this medication? When is our next appointment?

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