While my initial thoughts were that the generic Adderall XR was very similar to the trade brand (made by Shire), the comments on my blog post made it clear that many people are finding that the generic version of Adderall XR just doesn’t work as well as it is supposed to.

As DS writes:

“After the first week, I really felt a difference, but tried to put it out of my mind. My shoulder and rib cage is sore, I don’t sleep and I am snapping at people all day, all night. This is not the same drug mixture/compound. It cannot possibly be. I feel tired from the lack of sleep, moody/agressive/weepy (not me!), sore (for no apparent reason) and just plain out of sorts.

Has anyone had any luck figuring out why some of us are feeling this hell-ish effect from the generic version?

- Sleepless (and crabby) in Seattle

The original generic Adderall XR was produced by the pharmaceutical company Teva.

Now, two more pharmaceutical companies will be joining the production of Adderall XR:

1. Impax Pharmaceuticals will begin to ship its own version of Adderall XR at the end of 2009/early 2010. You can read more about this here.
2. Sandoz Pharmaceuticals just settled a law suit with Shire (the original makers of Adderall XR) to allow them to make a generic version of Adderall XR as well. It is not clear when their production and distribution will begin. You can read about this here.

Why Are These Generics Coming?

When a pharmaceutical company creates a new medicine, they get a patent for a certain number of years. They spend hundreds of millions of dollars to get their drug to market, and then they have a number of years to profit from their medicine, before it goes ‘generic’ and other pharmaceutical companies start to manufacture the medicine (and they sell it for less).

Even when a medicine is within its patent, the generic pharmaceutical companies start law suits to challenge the patents – i.e. to see if they can start to market the drug earlier, and increase their profits. It seems that the companies that are now manufacturing and selling generic Adderall XR have pursued the legal process to challenge Shire’s patent, and they are now in the position to start to manufacture and profit from this medicine.

What does this mean to you?

Well, although I initially thought that the generic Adderall XR wouldn’t cause problems for people – there are 94 comments on my original blog post which essentially prove me wrong – i.e. many people are struggling with the generic form of the medicine.

Here is where it gets complicated.

If you used to be on the Shire Adderall XR, and then the Teva generic comes out – your pharmacy or insurance gives you the ‘cheaper’ version. Let’s say it doesn’t work as well for you, but because of the finances, or your insurance’s policy, you work with your doctor, adjust the dose and make it work.

Now, your pharmacy, or insurance company may make a deal with Impax – to get their new version of generic Adderall XR. Now, the formulation is slightly different again. Translation – you may have a different response or reaction to the new version of the generic than you did to the first one. You’ll need to go to your doctor, advocate at your insurance, and see if you can get on the medicine which works best for you.

Of course, if you can afford it – you can always ask your doctor for a prescription for Adderall XR – No Substitution (this means that your doctor is insisting that you get the original adderall xr only). The thing is that your insurance can refuse to pay for it, even if your doctor is that specific.

This can be complicated for you, or your child if you take Adderall XR. Best to monitor your symptoms, and work with your doctor to find the best solution for you.

Please share your thoughts and comments below. Your input is tremendously helpful to thousands of other people who come to this blog and learn from your experience.

All the best,

Dr. Kenny

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADD, Adderall, Adderall XR, ADHD, Generic, Impax, Medication, Sandoz, Shire, Teva

This workshop will contain up-to-date information about Adult ADHD, including:

• How to diagnose Adult ADHD
• How to pick up the comorbid/co-existing conditions
• Treatment – including medicine, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Coaching, Alternatives
• Executive Functions – what these are, and how critical they are to functional outcome
• New Brain Research
• And much more…

… including specific tools and strategies for the professional.

This program is in downtown Toronto, and as it’s on a Friday, you can certainly travel in to Toronto for the day to attend the workshop.

Please join me on that day for an in depth look at Adult ADHD. Click here to sign up now: Leading Edge Seminars

Dr. Kenny

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

I am happy to see that celebrities with ADHD are starting to step forward more readily. That is a good indication that we are moving toward less stigma with this condition – which will hopefully help people to get the help that they need, and break down many of the myths that are out there about this common condition.

Best,

Dr. Kenny

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

This is one picture of ADHD – and of course – it is not always this difficult.

They report that prescriptions of Ritalin have risen by one third in the past 4 years in England. The conservative shadow children’s minister – Tim Loughton expresses concern that there are insufficient behavioral treatments available, and thus doctors may be relying on prescription medicines.

In all, this is a good 7 minute recording which underlies some of the issues that are impacting ADHD in the UK.

Definitely worth listening to. Here’s the link again.

Remember, that it’s best to combine medication plus other treatments to improve functioning in ADD and ADHD.

Best,

Dr. Kenny

Technorati Tags: ADHD, ADHD UK, United Kingdom, BBC

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

The list of celebrities with ADHD includes:

• Michael Phelps, Olympic Swimmer and Gold Medalist
• Solange Knowles, Singer
• Ty Pennington, host of Extreme Home Makeover
• Howie Mandel, host of Deal or No Deal
• James Carville, Political Consultant
• Christopher Knight, child actor on Brady Bunch
• Cammi Granato, US Olympic Hockey Gold Medalist

Be sure to check out this article/slideshow, and also share it with other people – to help to raise awareness of successful people who have ADD/ADHD. This will be especially helpful if you have a child or teen who has ADHD and looks up to one of these celebrities. If you do share this with your child or teen, please come back to this blog post and let us know how he/she responded to seeing this.

Best,

Dr. Kenny

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADHD, Celebrities, Howie Mandel, Michael Phelps, Solange Knowles, Ty Pennington

This documentary contains great scientific information, with interviews with many great ADD/ADHD experts and authors. The host also shares many of his personal experiences. Sharing this information with a good sense of humor, as well as great science behind it leads to a wonderful explanation of what ADD/ADHD is and how to live well with it.

The documentary is currently up online – though I don’t know how long it will remain up there for you to see.
So, grab a cup of tea or coffee (or a glass of milk or water), and go over to this site here, and watch the 43+ minutes of great information on ADD/ADHD.

Enjoy!

Dr. Kenny

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADD, ADD and Loving It, ADHD, Documentary

My topic is: “Update on Evidence-Based Alternative Treatments for ADHD”. In this session, I’ll be discussing the role of alternative treatment in ADD and ADHD, as well as the research behind them.

As part of the lead up to the conference, host Jennifer Koretsky interviewed me. In this 10 minute interview, we discuss the nature of my presentation, and why you shouldn’t miss it.
You can listen to that interview here:

When you sign up for this conference, you’ll hear from many other ADD/ADHD Experts, including Dr. Hallowell, Dr. Amen and many more.
You can learn more and sign up here.

I hope to ’see’ you there

Dr. Kenny

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADD, ADHD, Alternatives for ADHD, Conference

The reason to allow individuals with ADHD to ‘jump the line up’ is that they often have difficulty waiting their turn. In fact, ‘trouble waiting one’s turn’ is one of the core criteria in the diagnosis of ADHD.

I am aware that at attractions like Disney World, that anyone with a physical or mental disability can get a pass to go ahead of the line up. This is certainly critical for children in wheelchairs, or children with developmental delays and/or autism.

I imagine that parents of children with ADHD would struggle with hour long line ups to get the attractions. I imagine that parents would often have to forgo certain rides or events because of it. So having the ability to get ahead of the line up for ADHD could be tremendous.

The BBC report on this story quotes and expert who says that we should not be giving individuals with ADHD the ability to jump ahead of the lines, as this is not realistic to life. We cannot create a life where people with ADHD don’t have to wait for things.

On the one hand – I believe that kids with moderate to severe ADHD, particularly if there is a co-existing behavior disorder, would struggle a lot with line ups, and this new rule would be fantastic for them and their families.

On the other hand – I think this is a rule that could be misused and create a backlash and anger about individuals with ADHD. Don’t all parents struggle keeping their kids in the hour long line up for the 5 minute ride? Especially when it’s hot, and the child is hungry, and has to go to the bathroom, etc.?

Having this type of accommodation at major theme parks like: Sea World, Disneyland, Disneyworld, or Six Flags could be very helpful to families who have ADHD in them. But could it create a backlash?

I don’t know what the right answer is.
This has been passed in the UK.
Should it be in the USA and other major countries?

Please share your thoughts and experiences below. I want to know what people are experiencing out there – and I know readers of this blog have shed light on issues that people elsewhere aren’t even aware of.

Thanks,

Dr. Kenny

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADD, ADHD, Disability, Disneyland, Disneyworld, Parenting, Sea World, UK

Searching online for ADHD and the military – I found a couple of resources that may help. The first is an article from the American Academy of Pediatrics. In this article from 1998, the author summarizes information from one scientific article, as well as information gathered from military sources.

A second resource came from a forum post, where the author shared his experience having had ADHD when he was younger, and then joining the US Air Force. Other people have joined the conversation, and you can find that here.

The ultimate question that will come up for someone considering the military is – can I get in if I have ADHD?

The short answer is: ‘maybe’.

Based on the sources mentioned above – it seems unlikely that one can get into the Army, Air Force, Navy and particularly the Marines (they are noted to be the most strict) if they have to take a daily medication. This applies to a thyroid condition, diabetes, or any medical condition that requires daily medicine.

This would apply to ADHD – if you take daily medicine. The articles suggest getting off your medication for approximately 1 year prior to applying to the military. If you are able to function well without the medication, then you may be eligible to enlist. The reason for this rule is that requiring a daily medication may present a risk in a combat situation.

Other criteria for the military include the fact that one could be excluded for a personality or behavioral disorder. If one has ADHD or ADD and has had numerous troubles associated with it – including substance abuse, trouble with the law, associated depression or suicidality, etc. – that may make it harder to enlist in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines.

One other key point mentioned in the article is that recruiters may or may not share accurate information with potential recruits. This is concerning – and suggests that an interested person should pursue information from multiple sources before feeling that he/she has an accurate answer.

It is important to note that the best reference I found (the American Academy of Pediatrics article written above) was from prior to September 11, 2001. It is an article from 1998. Now that the US is at war in Iraq and Afghanistan (and Canada is in Afghanistan), it is possible that the rules for obtaining a ‘waiver for ADHD’ may be different now. Again – it is worth reviewing this with a recruiter (or two or three).

It is my belief that people with ADHD can do extremely well in the structure of the military. In these times, their contribution can be most welcomed – if the military welcomes them.

Will the military welcome people diagnosed with ADHD?

The short answer is ‘maybe’.

I am hopeful that those of you reading this article will share your experiences, and help to update the policies described above to what is happening now (this is being written in August 2009). We have had a very productive discussion on this blog about the FAA requirements for pilots with ADHD, and I hope that this post can develop into a productive discussion to help people seeking answers to this question.

**Addendum – a further internet search found this article, on the ADDitudeMag site, entitled: Uncle Sam Doesn’t Want You! It describes more up to date information about the military. It notes that there are new standards in place. The article shares:

“Under newly revised standards, ADHD is disqualifying only if the potential recruit has been treated with ADHD medication within the past year, or if he or she displays “significant” evidence of ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and distractibility. (The definition of “significant” is up to the military medical examiner.) Documentation of any treatment of ADHD within the previous three years must be submitted in advance of the medical evaluation. “

This is certainly a step in the right direction, but I think not enough.

Please share your thoughts and experiences below.

Best,

Dr. Kenny

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADD, ADHD, Afghanistan, Army, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Iraq, Marines, Military, Navy

Matusow has revealed his story in his biography, called: Mike Matusow: Check-Raising the Devil In this book, Mike shares his life challenges. He hopes that this book helps others to understand him, and to learn from his life experiences. He was quoted as saying:

“I spent two years working on it and I wanted to make sure that it reaches people and I hope people can learn from it and enjoy it. I wrote it to help people and help younger poker players so they don’t go through the same problems and situations that I went through.”

You can read more of Mike’s interview here.

From my perspective, I’m encouraged to see that another celebrity is coming forward and sharing his personal stories with psychiatric issues – particularly ADHD. This is so important for kids and teens to realize what’s possible for them, even if they have ADHD.

So, if you know an ADHD child or teen who loves watching the World Series of Poker (WSOP), let them know that Mike Matusow has ADHD, and they may want to read about it in his book.

Best,

Dr. Kenny

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADHD, Bipolar, Mike Matusow, Poker, World Series of Poker, WSOP