If your son is on Straterra Clonipin Lexapro Lithium and Abilify for bi-polar ADHD is that too much medication?

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There are a lot of different meds out there on the market. What works for some may not for others. As you probably have seen, patients sometimes need to try different combos and that really is the only way to find out what will work the best. Sometimes 3 or 4 meds are needed and sometimes 1 or 2 work. It is very important that patients report any side effects, good or bad. It may take a little time but be patient and you will find something that will work. Hang in there! The meds you said he is presently taking are normal for his ADHD and Bi-Polar. Just to let you know, I am 38 and have been diagnosed with both of the same disorders. Find a good MD who is very experienced in those illnesses and make sure there is a good communication between him, yourself and son. Last, make sure the doctor listens to everything you or you son tell him. He will be able to give your son the best treatment if the lines of communication are open. You should have him explain in detail what each drug your son is taking does to the body and how it helps. Some drugs are only given for side effects of another. But most important of all is to let your son participate 100 % because he will most likely follow instructions and confide in you if he has any fears or questions. Sorry I kind of blabbed a little too much. I just have had a lifetime of handeling my conditions along with family members who also suffer various conditions. I would be happy to talk to you about my experience but for right now it is important that you confide in your MD and get your questions answered. If you still feel unsure, go get another opinion or change physicians. Good luck.

Margaret San Diego, CA

As margret said it's really very individual when it comes to these sort of diagnosis. I have both adhd and bipolar disorder as well and take several drugs. It's all about finding the right combo that works for your son. I wouldn't suggest tampering with his current combo if it's working for him. Although clonipin lithium and abilify are three medications which treat mania. And both lexapro and lithium will treat the depressive phase. Again it depends on the severity but some of these meds are redundent. Klonopin is also typically used for anxiety not bipolar disorder although it will work to control mania. Klonopin is something i take myself but i would be reluctant to give it to a child unless everything else failed because it can be quite addictive. If your son suffers from anxiety their is a bipolar med called Valporate that works on the same chemical in the brain as klonopin but it is not addictive. Also straterra affects the neurotransmitter norepinehrine and lexapro affects serotonin. Their are a class of drugs called SNRI (serotonin norepinehrine reuptake inhibitors) that affect both. Some examples of which are Effexor XR and Cymblata. If he took one of them he wouldn't need to take 2 pills and could just take one. Like i said before it all depends on his individual response and possible adverse reactions to the meds. But always get a second or even third opinion.

Karan New Jersey

First answer by Margaret. Last edit by Johnnyreb242. Contributor trust: 36 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 116 [recommend question]