It’s October which means it’s ADHD Awareness Month. A great many people suffer from ADHD and as such there are a great many medications that are meant to treat it. It’s highly important to know that you’re getting the right medications, and that you are aware of possible side-effects, which is ultimately the responsibility of the manufacturer.
ADHD is commonly treated with drug therapy through the use of stimulant and non-stimulant medications, such as Strattera, Adderall, Daytrana and Ritalin, just to name a few. What you may not know is how severe these side-effects are, and that they can cause injury to children and adults.
These side effects are well known by lawmakers. In 2007, the FDA mandated that all makers of ADHD drugs develop Patient Medication Guides which would alert patients to possible heart and psychiatric problems related to ADHD medications, specifically stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall. In addition, another warning was issued in 2008 specifically for the non-stimulant ADHD drug, Strattera, after studies indicated that children and teenagers who took this drug were at greater risk for suicidal thoughts.
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS OF COMMONLY PRESCRIBED ADHD MEDS
Ritalin
- Hypersensitivity (including skin rash, hives, fever, joint pain, erythema multiforme with histopathological findings of necrotizing vasculitis, and thrombocytopenic purpura)
- Anorexia
- Dyskinesia (tics)
- Heart palpitations
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Blood pressure and pulse changes
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Death
Adderall
- Tremors
- Anxiety
- Impotence
- Changes in sex drive
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Death
Strattera
- Decrease in appetite
- Weight loss
- Mood swings
- Suicidal thoughts
The attorneys at Parvey & Cavenago represent a multitude of people who are battling against manufacturers of defective pharmaceuticals. If you or a loved one have been injured by or have developed serious side-effects from the use of defective ADHD medications , contact us immediately.
