Attention deficit drugs to get new warnings
The federal government wants manufacturers of certain drugs used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to issue new medication guidelines for use of the pharmaceuticals that include warnings that they can cause cardiovascular or psychiatric problems.
The drugs included on the list are the widely used Adderall and Ritalin. Find out more from the FDA advisory.
February 21st, 2007 at 1:31 pm
My son is on this medication what should we be doing differant
February 21st, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Kimberly:
Lots of kids and some adults take the medications involved. The medication guidelines the federal government is proposing (they are attached to the FDA advisory) indicate that patients should consult with their physicians about continued use and report any problems that seem to relate to heart function (shortness of breath, etc.) or certain mood changes. If your child isn’t exhibiting such symptoms, you probably needn’t be concerned. But it won’t hurt to ask your doctor. He or she ultimately is responsible for knowing which medications are suitable for which patients.
February 21st, 2007 at 1:47 pm
is there a good alternative drug on the market?
February 21st, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Earl:
This isn’t a recall or the government saying that anyone taking these drugs will be harmed. However, if you want to consider other options, it’s best to consult with your physician.
February 21st, 2007 at 1:56 pm
I think the warnings are legit - being an adult user for several years now - my blood pressure has gone through the roof - racing heart rates, arrythmia, mood swings (agressive and short tempered) almost to the point where I think I might be better off with diet controlls and a better exercise plan, and without the medication. I expected some psyological changes when taking a “stimulant”,.. but these symptoms seem to be excessive. Luckily there are no “voices in my head” yet, and manic behaviour is one of the things that us ADHD types take the medication to try to controll (poor impulse controll - high risk stimuli, etc) not the kind of “side effect” we should expect from a drug we’re taking to avoid or reduce just that kind of issue..
This begins to feel like those alergy commercials - take the drug to get rid of a stuffy head - side effects can include nauseau, vomitting, headache, shortness of breath, sudden death,… I think I’ll stick to the alergies.
February 21st, 2007 at 2:00 pm
my son is also on one of the drugs. Metatate CD. should I stop giving him this drug?
February 21st, 2007 at 2:02 pm
I have been taking Ritalen for about ten years, after being diagnosed with Narcolepsy. I have no side affects, and I function normally, instead of fighting the urge to sleep all the time. The only disadvantage is having to gradually increase the dose. Ten yrs. ago I took 20mg. daily. I now take 20mg. tid. Is there an alternative, ” safe ” drug on the market?
February 21st, 2007 at 2:06 pm
The feds just want people to understand that there are certain risks, as there are with many medicines.
The FDA advisory probably contains the best advice: FDA recommends that children, adolescents, or adults who are being considered for treatment with ADHD drug products work with their physician or other health care professional to develop a treatment plan that includes a careful health history and evaluation of current status, particularly for cardiovascular and psychiatric problems (including assessment for a family history of such problems).
February 21st, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Isn’t it interesting that other countries do not need to prscribe these drugs to school children. Something is terribly wrong with our society that we want boys to be like girls and behave a certain way. My son was diagnosed but I refused to put him on a chemical. He has slowly gotten better in school through maturity. If I had put him on the drugs,I would hav e believed it was the drugas that made him better not time and maturity. Wow I can’t tell you how good it makes me feel. Is he a straight a student like his friend who is on drugs? No but he is loved by everyone with many friends unlike his friend who has not close friends except for my son. (They were childhood buddies) Drugs are not the answer.
My sister also had an ADHD child who never went on drugs. He is now in the investment business and doing great. He was always the problem boy but now he is a successful adult without the help of chemicals.
February 21st, 2007 at 2:14 pm
I am on the ritalin patch for narcolepsy. I have tried several other drugs that are on the list. The past few weeks I have had trouble remembering things and even the names of some of my closest friends and forgetting where I am. This is taking a great tole on me. Could this be contributed to the patch?
February 21st, 2007 at 2:16 pm
my son started Concerta 4 weeks ago. Is the danger during the early stages of usage or are the side effects a gradual build-up ?
February 21st, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I am on the ritilan patch for narcolepsy. I have been on all of the other drugs that are listed. I am having trouble remembering names of close friends and even family. I am forgetting where I am even!!!! Could this be side affects from the ritilan?
February 21st, 2007 at 2:25 pm
I used to think that anytime a human could do without a drug the better. That was before I had any personal experience with the treatment. As a teacher I watched a girl who couldn’t focus in the classroom to finish any assignment become the girl who completed and usually had the best grade in the class. She had an extremely high IQ but couldn’t tune out everything that was going on around her until she began to take adderol. This is not about making children behave.(Although some children might misbehave to get the attention away from the fact that they cannot focus_ ) It is about giving them the ability to use their brains and grow. They shouldn’t feel drugged. They should feel normal. These children are missing a chemical that their brains need. No one would think of telling a diabetic not to take insulin. A chemical that bodies need. Why should a person whose brain needs a stimulant be made to go without it? Maybe the people who refused to help their kids should rethink it. I haven’t seen any student become unlikeable because they are taking attention deficit medications. I think that the ones that have the problems are probably misdiagnosed and they all should be under a doctor’s care anyway.
February 21st, 2007 at 2:28 pm
There are some non medical treatments available to help train the brain to focus. Maybe some parents should look into this. It does require time invested with the child however. and it isn’t cheap.