Better Living Through Chemicals 235administering a half dose late in the afternoon to ease
the child off the medication. Finally, particularly in ado-
lescents, parents need to be aware of the potential for
abusing stimulants.
HYPERACTIVITY AND POOR IMPULSE CONTROLIf hyperactivity and poor impulse control are signifi-
cantly interfering with your child’s behavior at home or
at school or his academic progress, or with his ability to
participate in Plan B discussions, medication may help.
Several classes of medications can be helpful, and stimu-
lants are, again, often the agents of first choice. However,
in some children, side effects, the lack of a positive re-
sponse to stimulants, or complicating conditions may
require consideration of alternative medications for en-
hancing impulse control and reducing hyperactivity, such
as a relatively new nonstimulant medication called atom-
oxetine (Strattera). Side effects of this medication include
upset stomach, decreased appetite, nausea or vomiting,
dizziness, fatigue, and mood swings.
An atypical antidepressant called bupropion (Well-
butrin) has also been used to ameliorate hyperactivity-
impulsivity in children. Bupropion may increase the risk
of seizures; exacerbate tics; cause insomnia, nausea, head-
ache, constipation, tremor, and dry mouth; and can ini-