78. ADHD Meds Simplified: How to Choose the Right Stimulant

Send us Fan MailIt’s back-to-school season—and that often means a surge of ADHD concerns as academic demands ramp up, especially around key school transitions like 3rd, 6th, and 9th grade. In this episode of ADHD, Anxiety, and More, Dr. Elise Fallucco  shares a practical, confidence-building approach to picking stimulant treatment for children and teens, answering questions like:Which ADHD medication should I start first?When should you use methylphenidate medications like Ritalin or Concerta?When should you use amphetamine-salt medications like Adderall or Vyvanse?How does family history help direct treatment choices?When does it make sense to try a d-methylphenidate medication like Focalin? 00:00 Podcast Rebrand Update00:30 Back to School ADHD Surge01:09 ADHD Evaluation Basics02:36 Case Introduction Third Grader03:04 Rule of Three Transitions04:09 Parents Nervous About Meds04:45 Family History Medication Clues06:06 Step One Start Methylphenidate06:33 Short Acting First Rationale08:05 When to Use Long Acting08:30 Long Acting Coverage Limits09:27 Step Two Try Amphetamines10:59 Step Three Consider Focalin11:52 Wrap Up Simple Stimulant Toolkit12:43 Bonus Algorithm and Course14:00 Closing and Next Week Preview Check out our website PsychEd4Peds.com for more resources!Follow us on Instagram @psyched4pedsCheck out our NEW CME Audio-based, on-demand CME Course online at:Pediatric Mental Health CME Toolkit - Cracking the ADHD Code: Essentials for Pediatric Clinicians. https://ce.nemours.org/content/podcast-series-cracking-adhd-code-essential-skills-pediatric-clinicians#group-tabs-node-course-default1