What is ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly referred to as "ADHD" or "ADD", is a behavioral disorder that is one of the most commonly developed mental disorders in children, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Some estimates indicate that ADHD affects anywhere from 3 to 5 percent of children in school. Although ADHD is normally diagnosed in children, in recent years, adults have been diagnosed with ADHD at a steadily increasing rate. ADHD is characterized by symptoms including impulsiveness, inattention, and hyperactivity. Adults and children who suffer from symptoms of ADHD may have trouble functioning at work, school, social settings, and even in the home. Children with ADHD may suffer poor academic performance, while adults with ADHD may perform poorly at their occupations. ADHD has become an increasingly controversial topic as more and more children and adults are diagnosed with ADHD and placed on equally controversial medications such as Adderall and Ritalin. Some question whether ADHD can be reliably diagnosed and whether doctors are over-prescribing medication to patients who may not need them. The source of ADHD is not clear, and although some research has indicated that ADHD may be genetic the actual cause of ADHD is not yet known.
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ADHD Drugs and Treatment
No cure currently exists for those who suffer from ADHD, so treatment is designed to help control the symptoms of ADHD. Treatment of ADHD may involve behavioral therapy, medication, or a combination of both. The majority of drugs that are currently prescribed to treat ADHD symptoms are stimulants, also called psychostimulants. Perhaps the most famous of the ADHD medications is the stimulant Ritalin, which has been around since the FDA approved it in the 1950's. The active ingredient of Ritalin is methylphenidate, which is also a major component of other ADHD drugs including Concerta, Metadate, and Methylin. Although these stimulants all contain methylphenidate, some drugs such as Concerta are long acting drugs that only need to be taken once a day, while others like Metadate, Methylin and Ritalin come in various forms including intermediate, long, or short acting forms that may require more than one dosage per day. Another stimulant drug prescribed to treat ADHD is known as Adderall. Adderall is made up of a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. These stimulant drugs are designed to work by affecting the levels of certain neurotransmitter chemicals in the brain. The ADHD drug Strattera was the first non-stimulant medication approved for the treatment of ADHD symptoms when it received FDA approval in 2002. Additional types of medications including antidepressants have also been used to treat ADHD in circumstances where the patient has not reacted positively to traditional ADHD treatments.
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Warning for ADHD Drugs
Some ADHD medications have been linked to adverse side effects including dependency, increased suicidal thoughts, liver disease, central nervous system damage, and movement disorders. Recently, ADHD drugs including Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, and Methylin were the subjects of an FDA advisory committee that advised label changes for the ADHD drugs. The Drug Safety and Risk Management advisory committee advised the FDA to add warnings to the ADHD drugs concerning potential heart risks. These heart side effects may include heart attacks, stroke, arrhythmia, and even sudden death. The advisory panel voted 8-7 (with one abstention) to recommend that the FDA place a "black box warning" on the labeling of the ADHD drugs. The black box warning is the strongest warning that the FDA has available to it short of pulling the drug from the market. The warning is designed to alert both patients and physicians of the possibility of serious side effects and is required to be placed on the drug's label as well as advertisements for the drugs. The advisory panel acted after a study found an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in adults taking ADHD drugs. The ADHD drugs have been linked to approximately 54 cases of serious cardiovascular side effects and as many as 25 deaths between 1999 and 2003, with as many as 19 of those deaths being children. The advisory panel also voted unanimously to recommend that the FDA require medication guides be given to ADHD patients who take these drugs. These guides will explain the risks associated with the drugs to the patients and their families. The FDA normally follows the recommendations of the advisory panel, however they are not required to do so.
Questions and Consultations
If you or a family member has used prescription ADHD medication and noticed adverse side effects you should contact a physician immediately. If you would like to discuss your rights, are interested in more information on ADHD drug litigation, or if you have information about the cases that you would like to share with us, please fill out the short evaluation form below and a member of Seeger Weiss LLP's experienced staff will call you to discuss your potential rights concerning ADHD drugs. Attorney consultations incur no obligation on your part and all initial consultations are free of charge and do not create an attorney-client relationship. Seeger Weiss LLP has office locations in both New York and New Jersey and its attorneys practice in courts throughout the country.
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