If Ritalin is prescribed according to this new, “smart” method, it will be clearer to the practitioner more quickly in which children the medicine does not lead to a reduction in complaints, Vertessen explains. “We can then start another treatment more quickly and they are not unnecessarily exposed to the side effects of Ritalin, such as poorer sleep or less appetite.”
In children who do benefit from Ritalin, it appears that a higher dose does not always have a better effect. “That is very important information, because now the dose is almost always increased as standard, while this is not always necessary. By prescribing medication in this way, it can be better tailored to the individual needs of the child.”
Another eye-opener is that there is a significant placebo effect. Parents, and to a lesser extent teachers, report positive effects of ADHD medication while children are treated with a placebo.
Rollout in practice
Doctor Vertessen now uses the method in her own practice as a child and youth psychiatrist at the UPC in Gasthuisberg, and advocates for other psychiatrists to do so as well. “This method is ready to be rolled out further in practice, and how this can be done is also being examined in the Netherlands.”
However, that will require a change from doctors. “It is more time-consuming to compare the doses and evaluate the reporting of complaints,” Vertessen acknowledges. “It will therefore certainly require an effort from the psychiatrists who want to work with it. But once you get used to it, it goes smoothly.” Vertessen is currently noticing a lot of demand for the method among parents of patients.
2023-12-02 06:15:45
#prescribing #smarter #Ritalin #ADHD #reduced #Radio
