Cardiovascular & Psychiatric Risks w/ ADHD Drugs (May 2007)

Patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) who are taking stimulant drugs such as Adderall (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine), Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Strattera (atomoxetine hydrochloride) will soon be given a Patient Medication Guide each time the prescription is filled.

The medication guide will warn that there have been reports of sudden death in children and adolescents with pre-existing structural cardiac abnormalities or other serious heart problems who were taking stimulant drugs to treat their ADHD. Sudden death, stroke and MI have also been reported in adults with underlying risk factors for these events who took ADHD drugs.

The causative role of the stimulants is not clear because pre-existing heart problems themselves carry an increased risk of sudden death. Nevertheless, patients with known serious cardiac problems should generally not use stimulant drugs.

The medication guide will also warn about a slight increased risk for drug-related psychiatric adverse events, such as hearing voices, paranoia or mania, even in patients who did not have previous psychiatric problems.

FDA recommends that patients who may be treated with these drugs work with their health care provider to develop a treatment plan that includes a careful health and family history, and an evaluation of current health status, especially for cardiovascular and psychiatric conditions. Patients should contact a doctor promptly if symptoms develop that are suggestive of heart disease, or of new or worsening psychiatric problems.

ADHD Drugs:

• Adderall (mixed salts of a single entity amphetamine product) Tablets
• Adderall XR (mixed salts of a single entity amphetamine product)
• Concerta (methylphenidate hydrochloride) Extended-Release Tablets
• Daytrana (methylphenidate) Transdermal System
• Desoxyn (methamphetamine HCl) Tablets
• Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine sulfate) Spansule Capsules and Tablets
• Focalin (dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride) Tablets
• Focalin XR (dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride)
• Metadate CD(methylphenidate hydrochloride)
• Methylin (methylphenidate hydrochloride) Oral Solution
• Methylin (methylphenidate hydrochloride) Chewable Tablets
• Ritalin (methylphenidate hydrochloride) Tablets
• Ritalin SR (methylphenidate hydrochloride) Sustained-Release Tablets
• Ritalin LA (methylphenidate hydrochloride) Extended-Release Capsules
• Strattera (atomoxetine HCl) Capsules

Additional Information:

FDA MedWatch Safety Alert. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) drug products. February 21, 2007.
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#ADHD

FDA MedWatch Safety Alert. Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine sulfate). August 21, 2006.
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2006/safety06.htm#Dexedrine

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Cardiovascular
• Psychiatric
• Risks
• ADHD
• Drug
• Reaction
• FDA
• Patient
• Safety
• Death
• Adderall
• Ritalin
• Strattera

[LawsuitGuru]

Strattera and many other drugs help some people and hurt others. The FDA produced this video in the interest raising public awareness of associated risks.

[intricatic]

No worries, I'll make sure to fund the bloated legal system and the lawyers who feed off the sap of society by suing a drug manufacturer for giving me a drug that I knew had risks which in turn gave me a heart attack. Thanks for the heads up! Bunch of dirty leeches.

[LawsuitGuru]

This video was produced by the FDA in an effort to help increase consumer awareness, not law firms. Obviously, you are aware of the risks- others have not been so fortunate.

[Xxero0]

ADHD IS NOT A FUCKING FRAUD!!!!!!!

That fact that it's an 'illness' is fraud. ADHD is real as the air you breath, though. Trust me. When you think about like 4 or 5 things at the same time, cannot focus on uninteresting things worth SHIT, and for some reason see the relationship in to completely opposite things, you know for a fucking fact it's real. Those fucktards shinking it's fake must have it pretty fucking good living in suck a small,, closed mind.

[Xxero0]

You're right! It's a fucking gift.

[bphatboyjohn123]

@Xxero0 they don't say its a fraud, they mean as in its not a disease which its not, its just a personality, some people are shy, some are hyper, just trying to make more people on meds. .

[withouttail]

HAHA...watching this makes my heart hurt

[see17]

I fucking love Adderall.

Know your mind, know your body and know your drug. That applies to every substance- moderation is key.

That is my intellectual contribution.

[americanmed]

American Med Supply is giving away a free AED... All you have to do is enter the drawing, it's that easy. Plus, we are giving away a bunch of other great gifts and prizes all year long. Look up American Med Supply on YouTube for all the details. No purchase required, and it's free to sign up.

[UndisclosedCommenter]

@Xxero0 I know man they always trying to tell me its not a condition but they haters man.

[jacobh849]

Strattera is not a stimulant

[XrawrX6428]

@terratagONE you are a misinformed opionated tool.

[XrawrX6428]

You can get killed walking your doggy. ADHD is a biochemical disorder. Aside from symptoms, an MRI will show the difference of a person with ADHD and a person whom does not. At this point in time medication and therapy are the best solutions for people who suffer this disorder. Dr. Rosenpenis

[jlmelramos]

@Xxero0 Post the objective lab test that proves you suffer ADHD. You dont have one. It does not exist. But I have no problem if you choose ADHD as a belief. But it has nothing to do with science. And having a conversation you don't care about is normal. Who wants that kind of communication? You have no factual ADHD but you can imagine you do have. No problem.

[imanerd36]

@johne30587 It's not. These people are idiots.