How Well do You Know ADHD Medications? – Interactive Quiz

February 10, 2020 4 Comments

ADHD Medications

ADHD is a chronic lifelong condition that affects 5-9% of children and 3-5% of adults.  There are a variety of treatment options available that can help to reduce the symptom burden and improve quality of life.

CADDRA recently (Jan 2020) published an updated version of their ADHD guidelines:

These guidelines are extensive and very practical for managing both children and adults with ADHD.  They have also created a great medication chart that is a useful reference tool:

I thought I would create an interactive quiz to see how well you know the different ADHD treatments.  I hope you like it.

Interactive Quiz on ADHD Medications (20 T/F Questions)

1. Tic disoders is a contraindication to psychostimulant use.

2. Long-acting psychostimulants, atomoxetine and guanfacine XR are considered first-line for ADHD management

3. Both Adderall XR (R) and Vyvanse(R) are suitable for a patient that can't swallow tablets/capsules.

4. Decongestants can interact with both methylphenidate and amphetamine based products.

5. Non-stimulants do NOT have a lower risk of side effects compared to stimulants

6. Symptomatic cardiovascular disease is a contraindication to both psychostimulant and atomoxetine use

7. A strategy that can address the appetite/growth effects of psychostimulants include eating a large breakfast.

 

8. Undertreatment is more of a concern than overtreatment with ADHD

9. A parent is complaining that her son is having difficulty getting his son ready for school in the morning.  He is currently taking Concerta(R).  A switch to Biphentin(R) may help.

10. Drug holiday from psychostimulants are recommended for all patients during the summer months and non-school days.

11. Amphetamines are generally found to be more effective but with more adverse effects than methylphenidate.

12. Omega-3 fatty acid monotherapy is effective at reducing ADHD symptoms.

13. A 10-year old child has been taking Vyvanse (R) 40 mg per day.  He has responded well in the past, but has seen a decrease in response.  An increase in dose may help to reduce his symptoms.

14. Patients should ideally be started on a short-acting psychostimulant before a long-acting formulation.

15. When atomoxetine is used, it is commonly combined with psychostimulants.

16. Annual electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring is recommended annually for teens taking psychostimulants.

17. If a patient fails methylphenidate, they should be switched to a second-line therapy.

18. Long-acting psychostimulants have a lower risk of abuse compared to short-acting formulations.

19. The effectiveness of Concerta(R) is decreased when taken with a high-fat breakfast.

20. A patient is using Biphentin(R) and he is complaining that he is having trouble focusing in the evening when doing home work.  Switching to Foquest(R) may help.


 

Reference

CADDRA. Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance: Canadian ADHD Practice Guidelines. 4.1. Toronto, ON: CADDRA, 2020.

4 thoughts on “How Well do You Know ADHD Medications? – Interactive Quiz”

  2. I worked with ADHD patients for 6 years in Singapore. So I sympathize and pity for them especially when they undergo their treatment for laboratory tests and chelating and detoxification therapy.

    1. This is so sad, as many of these patients can be managed well with the treatment options that we have. A major issue is stigma and people feeling that this is natural. I hope with better education that more people will receive treatment to help them live the most productive lives they can.

      Thanks for reading

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