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"FDA to study serious ADHD medication risks"
-January 5, 2006
The FDA has announced plans to study the effects of popular drugs used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These plans are spurred by several reports of sudden death, heart attack, stroke, and hypertension (high blood pressure) in children and adults taking drugs to treat ADHD. While the FDA did not mention the specific names of the ADHD drugs, the most commonly prescribed ADHD medications include Shire Pharmaceuticals' Adderall XR and Novartis' Ritalin and its generic forms.
Concerns about the cardiovascular safety of ADHD medications are not new. In fact, Health Canada, the Canadian equivalent of the FDA, ordered a temporary Adderall recall last year in response to 12 strokes and 20 cases of sudden death in children and adults taking this medication. Many of these serious Adderall side effects developed in children with structural heart defects. Adderall was returned to the Canadian market after researchers concluded that Adderall was no more dangerous than similar medications.
The Food and Drug Administration is now reporting they have received reports of "serious adverse events" associated with ADHD medications. In response, the agency has asked its Drug Safety and Risk Management advisory committee to determine how studies should proceed in determining the cardiovascular safety of ADHD drugs.
Some experts are concerned about the similarity between the handling of drugs like Vioxx and response to ADHD drug side effects. Prescription painkillers (COX-2 NSAIDs) and ADHD drugs have been tremendously popular during their stays on the market. Over three billion dollars was spent on ADHD drugs in 2004 alone. Vioxx was linked to increased cardiovascular risks years before its maker pulled this drug off the market. Other popular painkillers drugs were pulled from the market or warnings were issued after similar risks were discovered. Some worry that history will repeat itself when it comes to ADHD drugs.
If you or a loved one is taking ADHD medications, you may wish to speak with your doctor in detail about the risks associated with your medication. ADHD drugs may not be an appropriate course of treatment for certain individuals, especially those with an increased vulnerability to cardiovascular complications. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury while taking an ADHD medication like Adderall or Ritalin, you may wish to contact a qualified defective drug attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options.
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