Taking Vayarin for Treating ADHD

Taking Vayarin for Treating ADHD ADHD Treatment Print Taking Vayarin for Treating ADHD By Vincent Iannelli, MD facebook Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years. Learn about our editorial policy Vincent Iannelli, MD Medically reviewed by a board-certified physician Updated on February 04, 2020 ADHD Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Living With In Children Photo by Getty Images Vayarin is a medical food that can be used in the clinical dietary management of children with ADHD. Vayarin for ADHD Vayarin can be used to treat certain lipid imbalances associated with ADHD in children. One study showed that Vayarin reduced classic ADHD symptoms as compared to a placebo, including inattention, hyperactivity, and restlessness and impulsivity. Vayarin is a prescription strength, proprietary form of omega-3 fatty acids. Other facts include: Vayarin contains phosphatidylserine (PS), EPA, and DHAVayarin is a non-stimulant treatment for ADHDThe usual dosage of Vayarin is 2 capsules daily or as directed by a physician.Although there is no official age indication for Vayarin, it was studied in children between 6 and 13 years.Vayarin has been found to be well tolerated without major adverse events. The suggested retail cash price for Vayarin is about $60 and it typically isnt covered by insurance. Omega-3s and ADHD That ADHD could be treated with omega-3 fatty acids is not a new idea. Dr AJ Richardson published a paper, Fatty Acids in Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD and the Autistic Spectrum, in 2001 which suggested that deficiencies or imbalances in certain highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) of the omega-3 and omega-6 series may contribute to both the predisposition and the developmental expression of dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, and autism. And a 2011 meta-analysis of 10 trials in the Journal of the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry of Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation demonstrated a small but significant effect in improving ADHD symptoms. It is also thought that omega-3 fatty acids might help treat people with depression, bipolar disorder, and other psychiatric disorders. Another meta-analysis in 2014 that was published in the journal PLEFA found that polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation (PUFA) for ADHD was associated with: A small decrease in combined ADHD symptomsMore effective for some PUFAs for inattentive symptoms But even in this study, the effects were only found for parent ratings, and not for teacher or clinician ratings. What to Know About Vayarin for ADHD In addition to these tips, other things to know about Vayarin include that: The FDA states that a medical food is a food which is formulated to be consumed or administered enterally under the supervision of a physician, and which is intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation.Keep in mind that the omega-3 meta-analysis mentioned above suggested that given the evidence of modest efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and its relatively benign side-effect profile, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, particularly with higher doses of EPA, is a reasonable treatment strategy as augmentation to traditional pharmacotherapy or for those families reticent to use psychopharmacologic agents. So that study didnt suggest using omega-3 treatment by itself in children with significant ADHD symptoms but instead suggested adding it to another ADHD drug. Although Vayarin has all of the looks of an FDA approved prescription drug, complete with a Prescribing Information Sheet, it is important to keep in mind that its simply a medical food that does not have to undergo pre-market review or approval by FDA, and does not even have to be registered with the FDA.