|
daimyo
Monticello

Registered: 05/13/04
Posts: 7,751
Last seen: 12 years, 18 hours
|
ADHD Drugs May Kill You
#5285181 - 02/10/06 09:46 AM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
Article By Judith Graham and Judy Peres
In a surprise move, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted Thursday to put a black box warning?the most severe possible?on drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The action was prompted by new data about deaths and serious cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and strokes, among patients taking the popular medications.
Although the cases of such adverse events appear to be small? fewer than one in 1 million?the panel voted 8-7 to recommend a warning because millions of people could be affected. One member of the panel abstained.
"We thought more information needed to be made available to the public," said Dr. Steven Nissen, a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist who sits on the FDA panel.
People with ADHD are impulsive and have problems concentrating. By some estimates, 6 percent of children and 2 percent of adults have the condition, though debate has raged for more than a decade over whether ADHD is overdiagnosed and drugs for it overprescribed. More than 2.5 million children and 1 million adults take ADHD medications.
Psychiatrists expressed surprise at the FDA panel's decision. "In my opinion, this panel's reaction was too strong," said Dr. Louis Kraus, chief of child psychiatry at Rush University Medical Center.
"Why are they jumping to this before there's clear evidence?" asked Dr. Sharon Hirsch, a child psychiatrist at the University of Chicago Hospitals. She advised patients and parents to remain calm and said "there's no reason to stop your medication."
Dr. Joyce Kocher, a child psychiatrist in the northern suburbs, thinks the benefits of these medications far outweigh the risks. "If your kid can't color, can't read, can't sit still, is in timeout all day, is failing and getting held back?what's the benefit in that?" she said.
Adderall, a stimulant used to treat ADHD, already carries a black box warning about possible cardiovascular side effects; the advisory panel recommended a similar warning be added to Ritalin, Concerta, Methylin and Metadate. While not binding, the advisory panels' recommendations usually are followed.
For years, physicians have known that ADHD drugs raise some patients' pulse and blood pressure. But the medications were prescribed mostly to otherwise healthy children and the effects seemed minimal.
An FDA review prepared for the advisory panel indicated the medications might have played a role in 25 deaths and 54 cases of serious medical problems between 1999 and 2003. The problems included heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, palpitations and the overly rapid heartbeats known as arrhythmia.
Nineteen of the deaths involved children, and an accompanying FDA analysis suggested the risk of sudden cardiac death in children taking ADHD drugs was 1.5 to 2.5 times greater than in the general population, Nissen said.
The FDA evidence suggested a possible link between ADHD medications and cardiovascular conditions, but not a clear cause-and-effect connection, an agency official, Dr. Kate Gelperin, told the panel.
"My perspective is, there are disturbing signals in the data, and we have reason to believe that drugs that increase people's heart rate and blood pressure are not healthy for the heart," Nissen said.
Novartis AG's medical safety director, Todd Gruber, said the drug manufacturer's data for Ritalin did not show a higher risk of cardiovascular complications among users.
--------------------
"I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."
|
Himejime
Learning the way

Registered: 12/25/05
Posts: 158
Loc: Northern Cali
Last seen: 16 years, 2 months
|
Re: ADHD Drugs May Kill You [Re: daimyo]
#5285231 - 02/10/06 10:00 AM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
good thing I have been taking these everyday for like 3 years, I do have really small heart pains sometimes and I notice that it makes my muscles sore and my back sore and gives me a runny nose every time I take it, I went to the doctor with those complaints and he said no one has had those symptoms, then I left and just ignored all my symptoms havent been back. In 3 years I have only seen my doctor once to get ritalin, he never gives me check ups to see if im in good shape still he just writes up the perscription when my mom stops in and she can get them for me without me being there.
|
eris
underground


Registered: 11/17/98
Posts: 48,024
Loc: North East, USA
Last seen: 4 months, 18 days
|
Re: ADHD Drugs May Kill You [Re: daimyo]
#5285273 - 02/10/06 10:13 AM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
I was on meds for this when I was younger. I've tried ritalin and adderal daily. I was on them for like a couple years or something. Back then I did weed and other drugs daily too, which was probably not a good idea to mix with the adhd stimulants. The meds did have a relaxing effect on me most of the time, which does support the fact that I have hyperactivity issues. In fact just about any kind of stimulant from speed and ephedra to coke, made me calm instead of wired. Anyways after a while the adhd meds just caused anxiety, a raise in heart rate and blood pressure, it also seemed to do some kind of long term damage to my thought process. I was more paranoid and anxious for years, even after quitting use of the meds. Eventually I was able to overcome these issues, but I still don't feel like I'll ever be the same. I believe they can cause permanent brain damage when used for long periods of time. It is especially a bad idea to mix it with other drugs.
-------------------- Immortal / Temporarily Retired The OG Thread Killer My mushroom hunting gallery
|
OneMoreRobot3021


Registered: 06/06/03
Posts: 61,024
Loc: the sky
|
Re: ADHD Drugs May Kill You [Re: daimyo]
#5285275 - 02/10/06 10:13 AM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
Adderall could kill me?
Shit...I'm on adderal right now.
-------------------- Acid doesn't give you truths; it builds machines that push the envelope of perception. Whatever revelations came to me then have dissolved like skywriting. All I really know is that those few years saddled me with a faith in the redemptive potential of the imagination which, however flat, stale and unprofitable the world seems to me now, I cannot for the life of me shake. -Erik Davis
|
camelsmoker
smoke up


Registered: 02/20/05
Posts: 1,310
Loc: The Dirty Dirty
Last seen: 15 years, 1 month
|
|
ya the doctors always tried putting me on meds like those and others like antidepressents and so on but i never took em i would throw em away when mother wasnt lookin lol....i always knew those meds were no good i was just a bad kid hahaha...never felt right on meds
-------------------- THE LUNATIC IS IN MY HEAD <----(o)----> Check out www.alexgrey.com! He does tools artwork from lateralus. No harm can come from questioning. "Best" case scenerio: You prove it right without relying on the fact that it is widely accepted. Argument strengthened. "Worst" case scenerio: You realize you might have been wrong. The new answer might or might not be what you want to hear, but it beats defending yourself with bullshit. Qoted from (Koala Koolio)
|
demiu5
humans, lol


Registered: 08/18/05
Posts: 43,948
Loc: the popcorn stadium
|
Re: ADHD Drugs May Kill You [Re: daimyo]
#5285382 - 02/10/06 10:40 AM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
I wrote a paper about the negative effects of amphetamines with a focus on adderall and the like. They can do some serious damage if used longe enough.
-------------------- channel your inner Larry David
|
mediman0078
Stilllooking.....

Registered: 11/14/05
Posts: 1,379
Loc: Here, there, EVERYWHERE
Last seen: 17 years, 10 months
|
Re: ADHD Drugs May Kill You [Re: camelsmoker]
#5285401 - 02/10/06 10:49 AM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
I don't think giving dextroamphetamines to kids was ever a good idea... Look at what happens to people who use meth daily... Both are physically and mentally debilitating over time. I know they're not quite the same catagory, but speed is still speed.
-------------------- ........someday I'll find it.
|
FungusMan
I81U812



Registered: 08/06/05
Posts: 3,112
Loc: Everywhere
|
Re: ADHD Drugs May Kill You [Re: mediman0078]
#5285743 - 02/10/06 12:36 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
Xanax is my fwend
|
SneezingPenis
ACHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!111!

Registered: 01/15/05
Posts: 15,427
Last seen: 6 years, 8 months
|
Re: ADHD Drugs May Kill You [Re: FungusMan]
#5285836 - 02/10/06 01:11 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
I have been trying to tell everyone on this board about this shit since I have been on here... no one seemed to care.
|
OneMoreRobot3021


Registered: 06/06/03
Posts: 61,024
Loc: the sky
|
|
I just carried a 30 lb. box up 5 flights of stairs while in the midst of the throes of adderall, and yes, it just might kill me. WATER!
-------------------- Acid doesn't give you truths; it builds machines that push the envelope of perception. Whatever revelations came to me then have dissolved like skywriting. All I really know is that those few years saddled me with a faith in the redemptive potential of the imagination which, however flat, stale and unprofitable the world seems to me now, I cannot for the life of me shake. -Erik Davis
|
Boom
just a tester

Registered: 06/16/04
Posts: 11,252
Loc: Cypress Creek
|
Re: ADHD Drugs May Kill You [Re: daimyo]
#5286014 - 02/10/06 01:55 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
I value graduating over my physical well being!
|
Stonerguy
I smoke penis


Registered: 05/29/04
Posts: 5,538
Loc: Lost
|
Re: ADHD Drugs May Kill You [Re: daimyo]
#5286058 - 02/10/06 02:05 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
Im not down for everyday use... but If you have a big test comming up or something really important that needs to get done, it really helps.
-------------------- yawn... SG
|
Boom
just a tester

Registered: 06/16/04
Posts: 11,252
Loc: Cypress Creek
|
Re: ADHD Drugs May Kill You [Re: Stonerguy]
#5286070 - 02/10/06 02:08 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
Yeah that's how I use it too.
|
OneMoreRobot3021


Registered: 06/06/03
Posts: 61,024
Loc: the sky
|
Re: ADHD Drugs May Kill You [Re: Boom]
#5286081 - 02/10/06 02:09 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
I use it when I went to bed the night before at 4 AM cause I was playing World of Warcraft and then suddenly it's 8 AM and I dont know if I can get through the day. Evne then though, I'll go the coffee route before I resort to adderall. Not today tho.
-------------------- Acid doesn't give you truths; it builds machines that push the envelope of perception. Whatever revelations came to me then have dissolved like skywriting. All I really know is that those few years saddled me with a faith in the redemptive potential of the imagination which, however flat, stale and unprofitable the world seems to me now, I cannot for the life of me shake. -Erik Davis
|
Stonerguy
I smoke penis


Registered: 05/29/04
Posts: 5,538
Loc: Lost
|
Re: ADHD Drugs May Kill You [Re: Boom]
#5286084 - 02/10/06 02:09 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
The funny thing is we would be classified by everyone as drug abusers. Since we don't "need" it.
Shit speed can help alot of people you don't need to be ADHD to get some work done.
-------------------- yawn... SG
|
Boom
just a tester

Registered: 06/16/04
Posts: 11,252
Loc: Cypress Creek
|
|
Yeah coffee is my normal pick-me-up..
I result to the others in cases of big exams (or long road trips)
|
Toddo
Stranger


Registered: 07/09/04
Posts: 4,152
Last seen: 6 years, 4 months
|
|
Quote:
OneMoreRobot3021 said: Adderall could kill me?
Shit...I'm on adderal right now.
0wned
|
Jackattack
Stranger

Registered: 01/16/06
Posts: 150
Last seen: 17 years, 2 months
|
Re: ADHD Drugs May Kill You [Re: Toddo]
#5286167 - 02/10/06 02:29 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
I doubt adderal is very dangerous its been used for years.
|
Stonerguy
I smoke penis


Registered: 05/29/04
Posts: 5,538
Loc: Lost
|
Re: ADHD Drugs May Kill You [Re: Jackattack]
#5286183 - 02/10/06 02:35 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
Just because its old dosn't mean its safe. Shit man look at fucking cocaine been around for longer than dexamphetamines....
-------------------- yawn... SG
|
RedNucleus
Causal Observer


Registered: 02/26/01
Posts: 4,103
Loc: The Seahorse Valley
Last seen: 3 years, 3 months
|
Re: ADHD Drugs May Kill You [Re: daimyo]
#5286191 - 02/10/06 02:37 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
I call shenanigans! The general consensus is that the 25 (from 1999 to 2003) cases of people dying suddenly after taking one of a number of stimulants for ADHD cannot be linked with any certainty to the stimulants. There is some suspicion but I don't think anyone should be worried yet.
Over 31 million prescrips were written for these drugs last year. Merely 25 people have died over 4 years. It's not evidence of any connection at this point. The FDA voted on thursday to put the "strongest type of warning possible" on ADHD meds. This way people will be aware that there is a suspicion and it is being looked into. However, I personally don't think there is any cause for concern.
"Gerald Dal Pan, director of the FDA's Office of Drug Safety, wrote in a memo to the advisory panel that the reports of adverse reactions don't prove the drugs caused the problems. Robert Temple, director of the FDA's Office of Medical Policy, said that although the agency doesn't need ironclad proof before warning patients about possible drug risks, 'We still believe that what you tell people should reflect the available data. We didn't find the sudden death data very persuasive.'"
The quote and all the rest of the information above is from today's issue of USA Today Newspaper.
Edited by RedNukleus (02/10/06 02:50 PM)
|
|