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