Effects of inconsistent medication on ADHD or Oppositional Defiance Disorder?

[LuluLovesDisney]

I have a student who sometimes takes his meds and sometimes doesn't. I think it affects his personality and his work. When he hasn't taken it in a few days it is always obvious. He lives with a 24 year old cousin and has no other adults to keep him in line. I worry that taking meds sometimes and then not at all might be more damaging than not taking them at all. Does anyone know anything about this? Thank you!

 

[gillenkl]

my DS is on focalin for ADHD and this doesn't need it every day - for example, some parents don't give it on the weekends. You don't have to keep the med levels at a certain level all the time it's an extended release version. I believe there are others that must (or at least should) be given daily to keep the meds in the body at a certain level. There are some that you aren't supposed to abruptly stop and start back up every couple of days. I don't have any experience with those.