Adderall Bites the Dust in Canada

Thursday, February 10. 2005

So yet another story comes out about the problems with medications. Most, lately, have been targeted against the anti-depressants, which I have some thoughts about, but today a press release came out from Canada, exressing alarmist concerns that Adderall is causing death and stroke in some children. Canada is withdrawing Adderall and Adderall XR from the market.

I would certainly like to see the studies proving the dangers of this medication and wonder if Canada was too quick to respond and too cautious. Ok, so I'm biased- Adderall XR has been a miracle med for my daughter and since we've tried just about everything out there, I shudder at the thought that it could be taken off the US market as well. <huge shudder>.

As for the anti-depressants, there were suggestions that they could cause some children to become suicidal. From my understanding, these studies do not show the possibility that the children might have been severely depressed before being put on the medication and would have considered- or acted upon- suicidal ideations regardless. The sad thing is, that I will bet that there will now be higher rates of suicide in depressed kids because they might not have access to the medications they need.

Till next time-

Terry

Posted by Terry at 08:10 | Comments (6) | Trackbacks (0)

Trackbacks

Trackback specific URI for this entry

No Trackbacks

Comments

Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

Dear Terry,
Thank you for the article on Adderall. My doctor was concerned enough to even check my blood pressure. Apparently the FDA doesn't think it's too big of a risk yet, though.

#1 j persson on 2005-02-11 22:29 (Reply)

Hi there,

Thanks for your note.
It's really a shame that people are becoming so frightened by Canada's actions. Your doc is smart to monitor your BP- it's a good practice.

The FDA has said that they disagree with Canada's actions. They reviewed the same reports and don't feel the studies show any increased risk in taking Adderall.

In my opinion, a total over-reaction.

Just curious- how did you find my blog? I'm glad you did!

Terry

#2 Terry Matlen (Homepage) on 2005-02-12 09:40 (Reply)

It seems to me that one can find data to show danger in pretty much any substance, even water. ("Studies show too much water can cause coma and even death" ! True, however.)

There has to be a point at which the good of the many outweigh the good of the few, as Spock said.

Draw up procedures to watch for telltale signs. Determine if patients are having suicidal ideation before prescribing antidepressants, and monitor afterwards. For some -- many -- MS drugs, routine liver screens are required because the drugs are known to affect liver function in some.

So for Adderall XR, say, require the patient be screened for circulatory problems (or whatever they feel is actually the mechanism of the stroke/death). Then monitor them, just as my DH has to go in regularly for blood monitoring for diabetes.

For the antidepressant patient -- a call every week wouldn't go amiss if the HMO or whatever just won't spring for a weekly visit. i was put on Celexa a few months (?) back for very severe depression (taken off Paxil, which was for migraine, hoping the Celexa would help there too). However, once i started the med, neither the psychiatrist nor my therapist ever called to check up on the efficacy of it. Now that i need a refill, now i must make an appointment for a meds recheck -- which isn't going to happen until i'm out of Celexa the second time, anyway, because of scheduling constraints.

H'm. Does the fact that i still don't feel like eating much, and Thursday got so overwhelmed (best word for it) that i couldn't control any more and cut up my arms mean it's working, or not working?

#3 aellath on 2005-02-14 09:56 (Reply)

I totally agree with you that NO med is without risk.
As for what is going on with you, if you are cutting yourself, please don't wait for your refill- call your therapist and doctor NOW.

Terry

#3.1 Terry on 2005-02-15 22:14 (Reply)

I'm only marginally worrried about them taking away Adderall, the XR has been a reall boon for me since I was always bad at remembering to take multiple doses when I was on dexedrine.

Regarding the SSRI's... the whole thing really annoys me... any responsible psychatrist (like mine for example) will tell you that this is nothing new and there is a sound medical reason for what happens...

During early treatment with SSRI's most patients experience an increase in engery before they experience any improvement in mood. So... you can wind up taking someone who has a suicidal ideation and give them the get up and go to commit suicide. Don't get me wrong, I take an SSRI and don't know what I'd do without it!

It is irresponsible for physicians to be prescribing a medication that requires intensive follow-up without the follow-up or without the experience (read: pediatrician or family practicioner) to identify the seriousness of the patient's condtion. Instead of blaming the drug I wish they would take a good hard look at the practice of the prescriber.

#4 Ami (Homepage) on 2005-02-15 18:58 (Reply)

AMEN to that!
Terry

You wrote: It is irresponsible for physicians to be prescribing a medication that requires intensive follow-up without the follow-up or without the experience (read: pediatrician or family practicioner) to identify the seriousness of the patient's condtion. Instead of blaming the drug I wish they would take a good hard look at the practice of the prescriber.

#4.1 Terry on 2005-02-15 22:16 (Reply)

Add Comment

Name
Email
Homepage
In reply to
Comment	Enclosing asterisks marks text as bold (word), underscore are made via _word_. Standard emoticons like :-) and ;-) are converted to images. To prevent automated Bots from commentspamming, please enter the string you see in the image below in the appropriate input box. Your comment will only be submitted if the strings match. Please ensure that your browser supports and accepts cookies, or your comment cannot be verified correctly. Enter the string from the spam-prevention image above: Standard emoticons like :-) and ;-) are converted to images. Enclosing asterisks marks text as bold (word), underscore are made via _word_.
	Remember Information? Subscribe to this entry