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When Meds Go Bad: After-School Rebound Strategies

“Every afternoon, when my son’s extended-release stimulant wears off, he gets excited and acts out. I know this is called the “rebound effect,” but does this mean he is taking the wrong dosage of stimulant — or is this normal?”

By William Dodson, M.D., LF-APA Verified Updated on February 8, 2023

It is normal. Almost all of the side effects of stimulants occur when the blood levels of the medication rise or fall. As the medication wears off at the end of the dose, children have a variety of experiences — from becoming overexcited and impulsive to becoming irritable, weepy, and angry. This is often the only effect of the medication — not the positive aspects in helping to manage symptoms — that many parents see when their child gets home from school.

[Free Infographic: Take Charge of Your Child’s Medication]

Rebound can be lessened in a number of ways. The simplest strategy is to add a lower, short-acting dose of the same medication at the end of the extended-release morning dose. This will lower the blood level more gradually. If your child has a hard time settling down to fall asleep at night, or is old enough to have an amount of homework that keeps him up late, try a second dose of extended-release medication, so that the rebound occurs while he is asleep.