Straight Talk About Responsible Treatment
Since your doctor has prescribed a medication for your ADHD, you are likely to be taking the kind of medicine known as a stimulant. Stimulant medications help the brain normalize the activity of certain chemicals that are involved in ADHD (these chemicals are known as neurotransmitters).

There is no need to feel self-conscious about your ADHD or the medication you take to treat it. Many people have conditions for which they must get a prescription from their doctor. People who don't see well get a prescription for eyeglasses, people with diabetes may take insulin and people with allergies may take medicine prescribed by their doctor to keep from getting runny noses and stuffy heads.

Taking any medication is serious business. If taken appropriately, stimulant medications can improve symptoms in up to 9 out of 10 kids and teens with ADHD.¹ If misused, abused or taken by people without ADHD there may be serious health problems.

To make sure your medication is only taken as it is meant to be, S.T.A.R.T. with these steps:

S

• Don't Share your medication with others.
  

  If someone in your school is pressuring you to give him or her your medicine, tell a teacher, school nurse, another school official or a parent or guardian.

T

• Take your medication on time and the way it was prescribed.

  	At school it will be your responsibility to remember to report to the health room on time for your medication.
  	If, for any reason, you miss a dose, inform the school nurse and your parents. Don't try to make up the dose by taking an extra dose in between your scheduled times or by doubling the amount of your medication at the next dose.
  	Take your medication by mouth according to your doctor's direction. Unless you are told to do otherwise by your doctor, always keep your medication intact. Do not crush, cut or grind up tablets, unless your doctor or pharmacist says it is okay to do so.

• Take the exact Amount of medication that your doctor has prescribed.

  Remember, your doctor has prescribed a certain dose just for you - taking less may mean that the medicine will not help you and taking more could result in serious consequences, such as unpleasant side effects.

• Report any strange or weird feelings you may be experiencing.

  	Tell your parents or guardian if you feel less hungry than usual, have trouble falling asleep or have an upset stomach.
  	Your doctor may be able to help get rid of these feelings by adjusting the dose of your medication.
  	Never change the dose or stop taking your medication on your own.

• Keep Track of the number of tablets or capsules you have every day.

  That way you'll know right away if any medication is missing. If you notice your medicine is missing, tell a parent, teacher, school nurse or other school official right away.

It may also help to follow some simple storage guidelines:

• Keep your medicine in a safe place where others can't see it or easily get it, like in a cabinet or cupboard.
• Don't store your medicine in hot, damp, humid or very cold places.
• Know your school's rules about taking medicine at school and where it needs to be kept at school.