This is a common question for people who are new to ADHD. Perhaps it used to be a common occurrence, but now many specialists in ADHD understand that there is a "sweet spot" in dosing. That is to say, there should be a dose where your child's ADHD symptoms are adequately controlled, but where they are not overly sleepy or "zombified". Patients do not have to be sedated in order to have their symptoms controlled.
The zombie phenomenon used to occur much more frequently when there were only two medicines for ADHD--Ritalin and Adderall. Now with the wider variety of formulations (that is liquids, pills of different sizes, patches, etc.) and medications (including nonstimulants), fewer and fewer patients are having to experience "zombification" before the right dose is found.
There is no way to know for sure which dose of which medication will result in the zombie phenomenon. Younger patients are more suceptible, so it is particularly important for the very young to try nonmedicinal interventions first. This is also why younger patients should generally start with a medication that is easy to adjust dosing wise.
If a patient is transformed into a staring zombie, there are a few adjustments which can make a world of difference. These almost all involve consulting with your doctor, at least over the phone.
1) Reduce the dose. Some pills are scored down the middle. If they are, it is ok to split them. If it is a capsule, check with your pharmacist and see if it is ok to open it and use only half.
2) Switch to a short acting medication or a liquid. Both make it easier to adjust the dose.
3) Change to a different class of medication. Switch from the methylphenidate family to the Adderall family, or to a nonstimulant.
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