You no longer have to use Ritalin or other stimulants to treat ADHD. You no longer have to consider anti-depressants as the alternative to stimulants. There are other choices. Healthier choices.

Eighteen months of clinical research has resulted in the further improvement of Vaxa's outstanding "Attend" product, used for the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder, with or without hyperactivity. The Vaxa research and development team has put together the most scientifically advanced, non-prescription, over-the-counter medicine on the market today. 

The new formula of "Attend," available since December, 1996, uses cutting edge research with amino acid combinations, Essential Fatty Acids, lipid complexes, homeopathic medicines, hormone precursors, and the precursors to specific neurotransmitters to improve the lives of children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The product is more comparable to a "brain fertilizer" rather than to a stimulant medication. The purpose of the product is to help the brain to develop new and better neural pathways, to process information better and faster, and to improve the brain's ability to inhibit behaviors.
 
Optimum results are achieved after four to six months of use, especially when combined with a nutritional program. The product may be used while the subject is still taking prescription medication. The goal is to reduce or completely eliminate use of stimulants or other medications over a six month period of time.
 
If the child/adult is very hyperactive, or very aggressive, or has temper problems, then we also recommend using Vaxa's "Extress" in addition to the "Attend." The branched-chain amino acids in the Extress have shown themselves to be very helpful with the above symptoms. The Extress can be taken along with the Attend. We have been very impressed with the results of the Extress on temper and impulse control problems!

The formula is an extremely well balanced combination of "brain foods". This formula is three to four years ahead of other labs in the development of non-prescription treatments for ADHD. 

Results of Clinical Trials: Although our studies are considered "pilot" studies, our results showed the when used for a period of only 30 days, with no other interventions in place, 70% of the subjects made statistically significant improvement as measured by the computerized performance test known as the TOVA (Test of Variables of Attention). As measured by the TOVA 30% of the subjects made the leap from "out of the normal ranges" to "within normal ranges" of performance, comparable to having the "perfect" dose of Ritalin in their systems at a 1.5 hour interval. As measured by parent ratings, 80% of the subjects showed improvement in behavior and academic performance.

These results are really extraordinary, considering that the product is completely non-prescription, is very healthy for both children and adults, and is not a stimulant. Again, this is with only 30 days use, and no other interventions. These results are better than the results one would expect to see with subjects taking pemoline (Cylert) under the same conditions. 

We also noted that the longer a subject used Attend, the better the outcomes. In fact, we also had some college athletes in a trial. Even though they tested in the "normal" or even "better than normal" ranges on the TOVA, especially in measured reaction time, they improved their performance on the TOVA with use of Attend over a 60 day period of time. Reaction time especially improved. As a result, we are also recommending Attend for athletes wishing to achieve peak levels of performance.

Ritalin has been shown through the years to be very effective in the treatment of ADHD symptoms, although it has potential side-effects which many families would like to avoid. More recently, other interventions such as EEG biofeedback training have shown themselves to be very useful in treatment as well. A great deal of energy and money is being poured into the development of non-prescription treatments for ADHD.

Any treatment that can top Ritalin's supposed 75% "response with improvement" rate can and will be "king of the hill" in treatment. I predict that the new "Attend" product will come close to this rate, but it will take the continued use of the product for four to six months to get there. Ritalin's great advantage is that it works (or doesn't) within 20 minutes if the optimum dose is used. For now, I would say that the new "Attend" is equal to or better than the use of pemoline (Cylert) in terms of performance of product and the length of time it takes before it really works well. In terms of being healthy, "Attend" is much healthier for a person than is pemoline.
 
Physicians or parents interested in trying pemoline in the treatment of attention deficit disorder - ADD ADHD should consider a clinical trial of new Attend first. Also, for those who are presently taking Ritalin or other stimulants, but wish that they really didn't have to, it would be appropriate to try the Attend IN ADDITION to the other medication for three or four months, and then evaluate how the child does without medications (on the weekends, for example).

We believe that the greatest impact from the Attend will be from four to six months of use, but benefit will be apparent within three to four months. We have many children and teenagers at our clinic who are trying to "get off of Ritalin" by doing the EEG biofeedback training, and it can be very helpful. We believe that the use of this Attend, over the same length of time, will accomplish about the same results, but for far less money (about $300 for Attend versus $2,500 for neurofeedback).

Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.