ADHD Drug Side Effects – Sudden Death, Heart Attacks & Strokes
The controversial diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is treated with a variety of stimulant drugs and one non-stimulant drug, all of which have been linked to serious side effects. These side effects have raised particular concern because the majority of these drugs are given to children, increasingly to very small children. In fact, the rate of prescriptions in children aged 2 to 4 has increased significantly in recent years.
Suffered harm from an ADHD Drug? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.
Studies of the long-term effects of ADHD drug use have produced contradictory results. Some have found no long-term effect or a negative effect, and others a positive long-term effect, so the jury is still out. These studies generally tested the effectiveness of ADHD drugs against placebos and not against the effectiveness of other forms of therapy, such as behavioral therapy. Drug industry supported researchers often argue that studies showing a positive effect of ADHD drugs mean that children with the diagnosis should be given drugs. These industry-supported doctors never seem to consider non-drug alternatives. The studies on the effectiveness of drug therapy are often funded by the drug companies, and there are significantly fewer funds for studies of the effectiveness of alternative and safer treatments.
The rapidly increasing use of these drugs on small children raises the concern that use of drugs like Ritalin, whose pharmacological action in the body is very similar to cocaine, could increase the likelihood of lifelong drug dependence or other long-term side effects. Since the use with very small children is new, long-term studies on the effects cannot have been completed. There is also serious concern about the effect of stimulants on the growth of children, since these drugs are severe appetite depressants and may deter a child from getting enough nutrition for healthy growth. These drugs are often taken for a period of 3 years or more, so the decrease in appetite in children can have an adverse effect on children’s growth and development. Parents should monitor their child’s appetite and growth very carefully.
In 2006, an FDA (Food and Drug Administration) review found 25 reports of sudden death in both children and adults after taking stimulant ADHD drugs (19 of those deaths in children). The FDA also reported 54 instances of other very serious cardiovascular problems that occurred in patients taking ADHD drugs including:
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Hypertension
- Palpitations
- Arrhythmia
All of the ADHD Drugs have now been linked to psychiatric side effects including:
- Suicidal thoughts
- Aggression Violent behavior
- Psychotic behavior
- Hallucinations
The incidence of psychotic side effects is particularly alarming in the very young. A significant number of reported cases of psychotic side effects, like seeing bugs or other frightening things, have been reported for children under 10 years of age, who normally do not have psychotic symptoms.
Strattera (commonly misspelled as Stratera or Straterra) is the only non-stimulant ADHD drug currently on the market. Like an earlier ADHD drug Strattera has been linked to liver damage.
Cylert was a popular form of ADHD drug for most of 30 years, until it was banned by the FDA in 2005 because of links to death from liver failure. At that time the manufacturer of Stattera, Eli Lilly added a black box warning on the risk of suicidal thoughts in children taking the drug, after the FDA issued a health advisor warning.
Claims have also been made that Ritalin might be linked to increased risks of cancer because it has been linked to chromosome abnormalities that are a risk factor for cancer.
Other non-life-threatening side effects have been linked to ADHD drugs, including:
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Weight Loss
- Growth Retardation
- Bland demeanor
- Stomach aches
- Moodiness
Stimulant ADHD drugs suppress the appetite and are sometimes prescribed off-label (in a use not approved by the FDA) for obesity in children in spite of all the dangers of the drug. This use is controversial among doctors. If your doctor prescribes this treatment, consider getting a second opinion immediately.
Check out the following articles for more information about ADHD drugs, filing an ADHD drug lawsuit and finding an ADHD drug attorney.
Suffered harm from an ADHD Drug? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights. | 
State Law Center
|
Legal Resource Directory
|
Legal Articles
|
Insurance Advice and Quotes
|
FreeAdvice Answers
|
Community Forums
