Stimulants & Labs?

[prominence]

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What baseline labs do you guys get when you start ADD patients on stimulants?

Also, what follow-up labs do you order? And how often?

Thanks in advance.

 

[prominence]

bump

 

[Solideliquid]

You know these things are written down in books and such right?

If there aren't any medical issues especially past cardiac problems (chest pain, SOB, syncope etc) I won't order anything. At least that is the direction our attendings are going.

I would recommend an ECG, and routine testing CBC, CMP etc if there have been medical problems in the past and consider a non-stimulant for treatment.

 

[whopper]

As written above, this is pretty straightforward, and you should be able to find it in a decent textbook.

I would emphasize the need for an EKG. I've sometimes seen psychiatrist not order an EKG, and that's important for the amphetamine based medications.

I would also do or refer for some solid ADHD testing. Its sometimes hard to differentiate between someone who wants a stimulant simply to get high vs someone who really needs it for treatment.