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News from CHADD
Volume 4, Number 9
March 23, 2004
FDA ISSUES PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY ON CAUTIONS FOR
USE OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS
IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Public Health
Advisory
that provides further caution to physicians, their patients,
and families and caregivers of patients about the need to
closely
monitor adults and children with depression, especially at the beginning
of medication treatment, or when doses
are increased or decreased.
The FDA is asking manufacturers to change the labels of ten
antidepressant medications
to include stronger cautions and warnings
about the need to monitor patients for the worsening of depression and
the
emergence of suicidal ideation, regardless of what precipitates the
worsening.
For a complete copy of the FDA
advisory, please visit the Web site of
the CHADD National Resource Center on AD/HD where a direct link to the
FDA site
is featured.
CHADD
FDA TALK PAPER
Medications for Treating ADHD
What Are The Benefits and Risks
When Does Use Become Abuse or Overuse
ADHD Meds Info
March 19,2001
NEWLY APPROVED CHILDRENS MEDICATIONS
Metadate CD--extended release once daily methylphenidate capsules
DRUG HOLIDAYS
Some doctors recommend that children be taken off a medication now and then to see if the child still needs it.
The decision to cease treatment should be based on the overall functioning of the child, and on the extent to which symptoms
return during breaks from treatment.
These "drug holidays" work well if the child can still participate at camp or other activities without medication.
Ritalin
Ritalin was derived from Dexedrine in the
1950s, initially to minimize the side effects of appetite suppression and insomnia. Ritalin is now the most frequently prescribed
stimulant drug for Attention Deficit Disorder ADD ADHD, and the focus of much of the controversy about stimulant drugs.
Ritalin is available in both a short and long
acting form. The short acting form generally begins working about 30 minutes after it is administered, peaks at two hours
and is gone at four hours. It must be taken several times daily. Ritalin sustained release tablets last about eight hours.
Ritalin affects children in the same way that related stimulants like Cocaine affects adults. It
sharpens the short-term attention span when the drug kicks in and produces equally predictable valleys when Ritalin wears
off.
http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/adhd_medication_information.htm
Ritalin Side Effects
Ritalin Side Effects
THE ALARMING INCREASE IN RITALIN USE
Ciba-Geigy funds CHADD to push Ritalin!
This Special PBS Report exposes the connection between Ciba-Geigy (now Novartis), makers of methylphenidate or Ritalin,
and CHADD, a parenting support group which strongly advocates the use of (ritalin).
RITALIN ''over- prescribed and over-promoted"
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
DEA Officer acknowledges DEA concern over the alarming increase in Ritalin sales and abuse. "this is 'quick-fix,'
bogus medical practice which is producing large profits." "This far exceeds any professional estimates of actual
need."
Adderall
Adderall was approved for unrestricted use
for the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder ADD ADHD by the FDA in 1996 and is quickly becoming one of the more widely
prescribed ADHD medications. Though Adderall is a fairly new drug in the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder ADD ADHD,
Adderall was first developed about 20 years ago under the name Obetrol and was marketed for weight loss and diet control.
Adderall is a "cocktail" drug that combines
four drugs from the amphetamine family to provide a broad spectrum of coverage. The effects of Adderall can be felt after
only a few doses but often takes additional time to achieve the full effect.
Adderall last about six hours per dose, which
alleviates the need for children to take doses during the school day. Doctors and people using this ADHD medication report
that Adderall can be less "harsh" than Ritalin, with less peaks and valleys.
http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/adhd_medication_information.htm
Adderal Side Effects
Adderall Side Effects
Adderall XR
Adderall Xr, a once daily treatment for all types of ADHD.
A single morning dose of ADDERALL XRŽ significantly improves the three main symptoms of ADHDinattention, hyperactivity,
and impulsivitythroughout the day. ADDERALL XR has been shown to decrease distractibility, improve attention span, and increase
the ability to follow directions and complete tasks. ADDERALL XR improves the ability to think before acting (decreased impulsivity)
and decreases hyperactivity.
The ADDERALL XRŽ capsule uses a unique delivery system that is designed to work effectively and safely for 12 hours.
This MicrotrolŽ delivery system uses two types of beads containing the same amount of medication. One type of bead dissolves
right after the patient takes the capsule and immediately releases medication. The other type of bead, which has an extra
layer of coating, releases the medication beginning about 4 hours later.
FDA Approves Adderall XR For Once Daily Treatment Of ADHD
AdderallXr.com
Adderall Side Effects
Dexedrine
Dexedrine, a stimulant drug available in tablet or sustained-release capsule form.
WhatMeds.com
MentalHealth.com
Dexedrine
Dexedrine Side Effects
Dexedrine side Effects
Strattera- (atomoxetine)
Harold S. Hulbert
STRATTERA
Introducing Strattera, the first non-controlled medication thats FDA-approved to treat
ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults.
Nov. 26, 2002 -- The FDA today approved Strattera, the first non-stimulant drug for treating kids, teens, and adults
with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
One big advantage for Strattera is that it apparently
can't be used as a drug of abuse. Stimulant drugs can be abused, forcing strict -- and, to parents, annoying -- prescription
rules. This means that Strattera prescriptions can be refilled -- including over the phone.
The most common side effects in children and adolescents
were decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, and upset stomach. In adults, the most common side effects were problems
sleeping, dry mouth, decreased appetite, upset stomach, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, problems urinating, and sexual side
effects.
http://www.strattera.com/index.jsp
http://www.strattera.com/1_6_hcp/1_6_1_prescribing.jsp
http://www.qualitycounts.com/drugs/ADHD/strattera_atomoxetine.htm
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/54/65202.htm
http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/8525697700573E1885256C15004D6699
Non Stimulant Medication for ADHD
Strattera, or Atomoxetine, was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD in adults and children over 6 years old. Strattera does not contain stimulants and will not be labeled as a controlled substance, allowing patients
to refill prescriptions over the phone.
Strattera Side Effects
If Your child has suffered any side effects from the new non-stimulant ADHD miracle drug created by Eli Lilly and
Company called Strattera (atomoxetine HCl) please report side effects Here:
This info will benefit many other children in the future.
Concerta
Concerta is one the newest of ADHD medications
to appear on the market and is the longest acting. The FDA approved the 12-hour Concerta, a reformulation of Ritalin, in 2000.
Concerta contains methylphenidate, the same
medication found in Ritalin, though the medical community has not yet determined the long-term effects of having methylphenidate
in the bloodstream for prolonged hours every day.
The time released Concerta tablet has an outer
coat of medication that dissolves quickly and then two small compartments of medication inside that release gradually.
Concerta, like Adderall, provide longer, more
even action than Ritalin.
The benefit of Concerta, and Adderall, is
that children do not need to receive an extra dose during the school hours. The downside to Concerta is that, because of the
drug-release system, you cannot cut the Concerta pill to decrease the dosage or chew the Concerta tablet because that will
destroy the release mechanism. Adderall tablets are scored to allow decreased dosages.
Also, Concerta tablets are not completely
digested and remnants of the Concerta tablet can often be seen in stools. Concerta isn't recommended for children with gastrointestinal
narrowing and digestive problems. Concerta is not recommended for children under the age of six.
http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/adhd_medication_information.htm
Concerta side Effects
Lexapro
What is Lexapro?
Lexapro Side Effects
Lexapro
Drugs.com
Alphabetical order
"L" page 2
Lexapro
Lexapro Oral Solution
Lexapro Tablets
Lexapro: Anti-Depressant May Not Be Cure All
Side Effects Resources
Information and coping resources dealing with sexual dysfunction, withdrawal symptoms, and other medication side-effects.
Weight Gain/Loss
Withdrawal
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