FLAVORX Offers Flavored Liquid Medication as an Alternative for ADD and ADHD Patients

Bethesda, MD (PRWEB) May 3, 2006 -- The American Psychiatric Association estimates that 3-7% of children suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). ADHD and ADD are two of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood and frequently persist into adulthood. In 2003, the Centers for Disease Control estimated that roughly 2.5 million youth ages 4-17 were currently receiving medication for treatment of these disorders. Therefore, it is not surprising that FLAVORx, the company dedicated to offering palatable solutions to hard-to-swallow medicines, has developed a method to convert ADHD and ADD medications from pills and capsules to a liquid form. In this way, medications can be easily flavored and readily accepted by even the youngest and most stubborn of patients. The company has received many phone calls from ADHD patients and families that are relieved to have finally found a service that provides a liquid that allows children to successfully accept crucial medications.
Recent research suggests that an effective long-term approach to treating ADHD and ADD may lie in combining medical and behavioral therapies. The National Institute of Mental Health recently conducted an intensive study to evaluate treatment of ADHD. The results of the study indicated that combination therapies (behavioral and medical) and medication management alone yielded better results than intensive behavioral treatment alone or routine community therapy. While each case is unique to the child (or adult); stimulant medications may be prescribed and are considered very safe and effective. The most commonly prescribed medications are Ritalin, Adderrall, Concerta and Dexedrine, which are all commercially prepared as pills. FLAVORx researchers have developed formulations to convert these pills to a suspension form that can be easily manipulated into flavors such as Grape, Bubblegum and Strawberry. However, as with all medications, treatment for ADHD and ADD symptoms should be discussed thoroughly with a healthcare practitioner to determine the necessity for medication, as well as the proper medication and dosage for the patient.

Currently, because these stimulant medications are not commercially available in liquid form, most patients and families affected by ADHD and ADD are not aware that these pills can be converted to liquid form quite readily. For young patients, pills can be particularly hard to swallow. Therefore, FLAVORx established this specialty service to help these young patients that may be started on stimulant drugs as early as the age of three. Through performing stability and compatibility studies and taste-testing by panel and focus groups, FLAVORx established successful formulas to convert these pills to liquid form and also add flavors that would mask the medication's existing taste. According to FLAVORx President and CEO Kenny Kramm, "With this added service we can provide ADHD patients with an alternative that is safe and easy to use. Our mission now is to spread the word about this added service so that ADHD patients are aware that they don't have to continue to struggle with pills."

The main characteristics of ADHD and ADD affliction are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD and ADD results when not enough dopamine (a neurotransmitter) is delivered to the brain. The body then tries to compensate for this loss by finding ways to stimulate its release by using movement, physical activity or other stimulus to engage and interest the brain. This is why many children that suffer from ADHD or ADD "can't sit still" or act disruptive, daydream, seem disorganized or are easily distracted. Unfortunately, these behaviors could lead to academic underachievement, lack of social skills and could interfere with relationships, employment or completing an education down the line. It is possible that other disorders may accompany ADHD and ADD such as other learning disabilities, Tourette Syndrome, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), conduct disorder, anxiety and depression and bipolar disorder.

Sadly, many ADD and ADHD families and patients may feel embarrassed by their conditions and at times may be mislabeled, ridiculed and discounted as troublemakers or misfits. However, children and adults who suffer from AD/HD should actually keep in mind that their differences are something to embrace. Some of the greatest minds such as Ernest Hemingway, Beethoven and Einstein are thought to have had ADD or ADHD.

FLAVORx prides itself as the industry's leader in scientifically-tested and specifically developed flavorings for medicine and has flavored over 60 million medications over the last 10 years. The system is currently available nationwide in over 37,000 pharmacies such as Walgreens, Wal-Mart, CVS and Rite-Aid to name a few.

For more information, please contact Teresa Chen at 800.884.5771 extension 234.

Press Contact: Teresa Chen
Company Name: FLAVORX, INC.
Email: tchen@flavorx.com
Phone: 240.223.0953
Website: www.flavorx.com