Should You Take Ritalin?

At least 3.3 million Americans currently takeand stroke to begin with, any increase in risk caused
medications to ease the symptoms of Attention Deficitby these drugs could affect a large number of
Disorder. The majority of these medications arepeople.One committee member stated that not
amphetamine-based stimulants.The doctors prescribedisclosing the risks associated with taking these drugs
these drugs, but that does not mean they areis unethical. Because of the gravity of the side effects,
necessarily safe, says the Federal Drug Administrationnamely sudden death, physicians need to be clearly
which is currently looking at placing strong warnings onaware of the serious side effects before prescribing
stimulant ADD medications like Ritalin, Adderall andthese drugs to their patients. The panel, while
Concerta.An FDA advisory panel voted in February toexpressing concern about the over prescribing of
recommend that all stimulant ADHD drugs carry aADHD medications, stated that they want physicians
"black box" warning - the strongest possible safetyto pause before writing prescriptions for stimulant
warning - to indicate that the drugs may increase themedications. The FDA advisory committee also
risk of heart attacks, strokes and sudden death.Blackunanimously recommended that the FDA include
box warnings are intended to alert physicians andmedication guides with all stimulant ADHD drugs
patients that a drug may carry significant risks. Thewarning about the risks.FDA is not required to follow
FDA advisory panel ruled on this black box warningrecommendations given by the advisory committee,
after reviewing data concerning death and otherthough the FDA usually does follow recommendations.
negative heart problems associated with stimulant drugThe FDA awaits advice from its pediatric panel in
medication use. Although data varies betweenMarch before reaching a decision. The FDA plans to
reporting agencies, 25 to 51 deaths have beenrefer the issue to another advisory panel that deals
attributed to ADHD medication use. Experts estimatewith psychological problems in children. Additionally, the
that less than 10 percent of serious drug reactions areFDA is planning a new study of ADHD drugs that will
reported to the FDA, so the deaths and serioustake approximately 18 months to complete. Some are
adverse effects are undoubtedly much higher.Of theadamant that the FDA should not wait for the results
reported deaths studied by the advisory panel, 19of this study. The FDA has been criticized in the past
were children. Other reports described 54 cases offor being slow to respond to evidence of health risks
high blood pressure, chest pain, heart attacks, strokes,associated with such things as drugs, including
irregular heart beats and fainting. The number ofpainkillers and antidepressants.At least two million
arrhythmia has been surprising. It is believed to be thechildren and one million adults take prescription ADHD
pathway for the sudden, unexplained deaths. Andmedication every month.
because adults have a higher risk of heart disease