FDA Reports on Deaths from ADHD Drugs
Twenty-five people died suddenly and another 54 suffered serious cardiovascular problems after taking drugs to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder between 1999 and 2003, according to a report from the US government’s Food and Drug Administration. The report says that children accounted for 19 of the deaths and 26 of the cases of nonfatal cardiovascular problems, including heart attack, stroke, hypertension, palpitations and arrhythmia.
According to an article carried on APA’s PsycPort, an FDA panel is to discuss new ways of examining the potential cardiovascular risks of drugs for treating ADHD, including amphetamines such as Adderall, and methylphenidates, sold as Ritalin, Concerta, Methylin and Metadate:
The few studies that have looked at longer-term use of ADHD drugs provide little information on those risks, the FDA said. The cardiovascular risks include heart attack, stroke, hypertension, palpitations and arrhythmia.
Sales of drugs to treat ADHD have increased sharply in recent years, with use growing at a faster rate among adults than children, according to a recent study by Medco Health Solutions, a prescription benefit manager. Spending on ADHD drugs soared from $759 million in 2000 to $3.1 billion in 2004, according to IMS Health, a pharmaceutical information and consulting firm.
Death and injury reports led the FDA’s Canadian counterpart, Health Canada, to yank the ADHD drug Adderall XR from the market for six months last year.
A Canadian panel eventually concluded there was inadequate evidence of increased harm from Adderall XR compared with other available therapies - a conclusion the FDA also reached based on data on hand.
In reporting on the recent review of deaths from ADHD drugs, the article goes on to say:
The FDA review released Wednesday found fewer than one adverse event - that is, a death or serious injury - per one million ADHD drug prescriptions filled. Also, in some of the cases, the children who died were later found to have had undiagnosed heart conditions.
However, the report noted, the rare occurrence of sudden death in children treated with drugs for ADHD “warrants close monitoring.” One possibility would be to add labeling to the drugs that would recommend that doctors consider the benefits and risks of prescribing the drugs to patients with heart problems, the report concluded.
Also see our recent article on the methylphenidate transdermal patch, to be marketed shortly under the brand name Daytrana: “ADHD Patch to be Sold as Daytrana”.
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Other articles by Dr Greg Mulhauser, Managing Editor
This article was last reviewed by on Thursday, 9th February 2006. You can leave a response below.
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9th February 2006
All medications carry risk…….Just like any other medication group! ADD medications are being precscribed more for ADULTS because we are finally being diagonosed properly!!!!!
9th February 2006
Karen, those seem like two very sensible points to me!
While pharmaceutical companies might view adults as a great new growth market for selling ADHD medications, if you’re an adult who is actually experiencing ADHD-type symptoms, what you probably want most is accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
All the best,
Greg
25th August 2006
I personally think that 90% of kids on adhd medications can be treated without medications its the schools that want zombies that do no wrong. What was concidered normal child patterns is not concidered adhd and it is miss diagnosed all the time. I am not saying this because i am against medications or a person who doesn’t think this exists my daughter does have adhd and i would rather find a way to deal then put her back on the medications when the rare side effects are so harsh.
1st July 2007
Melissa
ADHD is difficult enough for family members, the individuals who have it, and just living with without the additional headache of having to explain to those who don’t understand why we are the way we are, and yes, it may come down to taking medication.
Sometimes we think we are doing our best by not putting our kids on medication, because of the Naysayers, but if your kids had cancer would you not put them through Chemo, even though it is difficult?
Without being aware, and fully understanding the consequences and harm in ignoring the Disorder is dangerous.
I speak from experience. My parents tried to do the Right thing by me, today, the suffering I face from anxiety, depression, low self esteem and self worth which could have been addressed from a young age - to help me understand why I was different.. to help me develop normally.
Proper help - including medication - would have saved me from an attempted suicide - It would have helped me mature effectively in my social skills, and allowed me not to have to face these challenges at a much older age, when it harder to learn this information.
When I read about these deaths from the medication I wonder you How many deaths have you heard from ADHD medication - has there been a proven LINK that that was the Sole reason? Did they have medical afflictions that counteracted with the medication? maybe an allergic reaction?
Some people Can’t take Penicillin, some can’t take Aspirin.. should we get rid of those too? maybe we should also ban Peanuts, and strawberries as well. More people have died from these than have from ADHD medication.
What in life doesn’t have problems - And should we all stop eating Beef? Chicken? Doesn’t fish also cause Mercury poisoning? Should we make sure we don’t let our kids play outside in fear of Cancer? Even having a cel phone can cause brain cancer.
Whilst we are at it, let’s get rid of cars, and all other substances that can create cancer and other problems.
3rd September 2007
I am in a shared parenting arrangement and I am going through the court system with my daughter’s father to prevent this medication being given to her. Her father went and placed her on knowing that I did not approve, and the doctor knew as well. As far as cancer and Chemo being used as an example that is not a comparison because Chemo is between life and death. Now to me once you place these children on these meds you now have placed them on possable death situation, not being able to have cardiovascular (heart attack and strokes), depreesion along with sucidal thoughts, anorexia,and these are just to name a few. Melissa I hope you come back to read this and beleive me when I say my prayers are with you and stay strong for you and your daughter. A very close friend of mine was told by the school that they beleived that her daughter had ADHD and she had her evaluated and was told that her daughter was diagnosed with ADHD. She was also told that they did not see any chance for improvement with her daughter unless if she was going to placed on meds. She decided not place her on meds and got her the extra help she needed and also worked closely with her daughter. Her daughter now after 2 years of working with her went to being a honor roll student and is well organized, and her teachers in the school she now attends write statements such as “she is a joy to have in my class, and participates very well in class.” I hope this a help and encouragement for parents who beleive in going the extra miles for our children, and just having the faith in God that he can help you as long as we all have faith.
5th December 2007
They should have went to a. At least there they wouldn’t have had the same problems. May they rest in peace.