
Hello, My 21 Yo Son Has Attention Difficulties. He Is

Question: Hello, My 21 yo son has attention difficulties. He is in college and studying merchant engineering. He has taken Vyvance and Adderall off and on during high school and college (mostly off) because it affects his appetite so greatly that he can’t eat and if he eats despite not being interested, he gags. The medicine helps him greatly with his studies, but due to weight loss, he has to stop it each time.
My question - are there any stimulant type medicines for add which have less of an impact on appetite? If not, are there any natural remedies you can suggest? Thank you!
My question - are there any stimulant type medicines for add which have less of an impact on appetite? If not, are there any natural remedies you can suggest? Thank you!

Hello, My 21 yo son has attention difficulties. He is in college and studying merchant engineering. He has taken Vyvance and Adderall off and on during high school and college (mostly off) because it affects his appetite so greatly that he can’t eat and if he eats despite not being interested, he gags. The medicine helps him greatly with his studies, but due to weight loss, he has to stop it each time.
My question - are there any stimulant type medicines for add which have less of an impact on appetite? If not, are there any natural remedies you can suggest? Thank you!
My question - are there any stimulant type medicines for add which have less of an impact on appetite? If not, are there any natural remedies you can suggest? Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Rich foods to be used.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.
I have read your query and here is my advice.
Unfortunately, all the major drugs used for ADHD treatment may result in adverse effects, one of them is loss of appetite.
Stopping the drugs is not an option, lifestyle and diet changes should be considered in cases like this.
For this purpose is necessary to provide for your son nutrient dense, with high protein, calories and single serving foods (cottage cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, turkey,etc.).
Best time to take high protein and calories is in the morning before the medication.
Supplements of multivitamins also should be considered.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Rich foods to be used.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.
I have read your query and here is my advice.
Unfortunately, all the major drugs used for ADHD treatment may result in adverse effects, one of them is loss of appetite.
Stopping the drugs is not an option, lifestyle and diet changes should be considered in cases like this.
For this purpose is necessary to provide for your son nutrient dense, with high protein, calories and single serving foods (cottage cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, turkey,etc.).
Best time to take high protein and calories is in the morning before the medication.
Supplements of multivitamins also should be considered.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T

Brief Answer:
Rich foods to be used.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.
I have read your query and here is my advice.
Unfortunately, all the major drugs used for ADHD treatment may result in adverse effects, one of them is loss of appetite.
Stopping the drugs is not an option, lifestyle and diet changes should be considered in cases like this.
For this purpose is necessary to provide for your son nutrient dense, with high protein, calories and single serving foods (cottage cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, turkey,etc.).
Best time to take high protein and calories is in the morning before the medication.
Supplements of multivitamins also should be considered.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Rich foods to be used.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.
I have read your query and here is my advice.
Unfortunately, all the major drugs used for ADHD treatment may result in adverse effects, one of them is loss of appetite.
Stopping the drugs is not an option, lifestyle and diet changes should be considered in cases like this.
For this purpose is necessary to provide for your son nutrient dense, with high protein, calories and single serving foods (cottage cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, turkey,etc.).
Best time to take high protein and calories is in the morning before the medication.
Supplements of multivitamins also should be considered.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T


Thank you. He has tried rich foods. Unfortunately, the medicine affects his appetite for a whole 24 hours after a dose of short acting stimulant. Do you know of anything natural he can try?

Thank you. He has tried rich foods. Unfortunately, the medicine affects his appetite for a whole 24 hours after a dose of short acting stimulant. Do you know of anything natural he can try?
Brief Answer:
Vitamin B6, magnesium, EEG biofeedback.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Since the drugs result in such appetite problems, other ways to improve ADHD, besides drugs, include the use of supplements of vitamin B6, magnesium and zinc, caffeine.
It is also important to minimize or avoid the use foods, beverages, that contain conservants.
EEG biofeedback is another possible treatment way that may be tried.
Hope I helped you.
Feel free to discuss with me if you have further questions.
Vitamin B6, magnesium, EEG biofeedback.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Since the drugs result in such appetite problems, other ways to improve ADHD, besides drugs, include the use of supplements of vitamin B6, magnesium and zinc, caffeine.
It is also important to minimize or avoid the use foods, beverages, that contain conservants.
EEG biofeedback is another possible treatment way that may be tried.
Hope I helped you.
Feel free to discuss with me if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T

Brief Answer:
Vitamin B6, magnesium, EEG biofeedback.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Since the drugs result in such appetite problems, other ways to improve ADHD, besides drugs, include the use of supplements of vitamin B6, magnesium and zinc, caffeine.
It is also important to minimize or avoid the use foods, beverages, that contain conservants.
EEG biofeedback is another possible treatment way that may be tried.
Hope I helped you.
Feel free to discuss with me if you have further questions.
Vitamin B6, magnesium, EEG biofeedback.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Since the drugs result in such appetite problems, other ways to improve ADHD, besides drugs, include the use of supplements of vitamin B6, magnesium and zinc, caffeine.
It is also important to minimize or avoid the use foods, beverages, that contain conservants.
EEG biofeedback is another possible treatment way that may be tried.
Hope I helped you.
Feel free to discuss with me if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T


Thank you! I should have mentioned he has attentiveness issues vs hyperactivity issues. Are conservatives the same as preservatives? I will have him try your recommendations - thank you!
One final question. Do you think it would be worth trying a shorter acting add medication?
One final question. Do you think it would be worth trying a shorter acting add medication?

Thank you! I should have mentioned he has attentiveness issues vs hyperactivity issues. Are conservatives the same as preservatives? I will have him try your recommendations - thank you!
One final question. Do you think it would be worth trying a shorter acting add medication?
One final question. Do you think it would be worth trying a shorter acting add medication?
Brief Answer:
Natural remedies and lowest doses of drugs should be tried.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
I think that if the condition can be improved with these more natural measures, drugs use may be postponed.
If there is no sufficient control, then lowest doses possible or drugs with shorter acting period may be tried.
Hope I helped you.
Take care.
Natural remedies and lowest doses of drugs should be tried.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
I think that if the condition can be improved with these more natural measures, drugs use may be postponed.
If there is no sufficient control, then lowest doses possible or drugs with shorter acting period may be tried.
Hope I helped you.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T

Brief Answer:
Natural remedies and lowest doses of drugs should be tried.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
I think that if the condition can be improved with these more natural measures, drugs use may be postponed.
If there is no sufficient control, then lowest doses possible or drugs with shorter acting period may be tried.
Hope I helped you.
Take care.
Natural remedies and lowest doses of drugs should be tried.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
I think that if the condition can be improved with these more natural measures, drugs use may be postponed.
If there is no sufficient control, then lowest doses possible or drugs with shorter acting period may be tried.
Hope I helped you.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T


Thank you for your thoughtful responses.

Thank you for your thoughtful responses.
Brief Answer:
You are welcome.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Glad I helped you.
In good health.
You are welcome.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Glad I helped you.
In good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana

Brief Answer:
You are welcome.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Glad I helped you.
In good health.
You are welcome.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Glad I helped you.
In good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana

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