New ADHD Non-Stimulant Drug Still Poses Risks Of Side Effects

The FDA has approved Strattera®, a (atomoxetine), a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. In a new class of non-stimulant medications to treat “ADHD”, Strattera is the fist new drug for the treatment of “ADHD” to hit the market in nearly three decades. Even though Strattera is a non-stimulant medication, it still poses significant side effects, consistent with other “ADHD” medications.

Common side effects of Strattera include, but are not limited to:

• Dry mouth, Decreased appetite
• Weight loss, Gastrointestinal distress
• Nausea and vomiting, Constipation; dizziness
•  Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Depression, irritability
• Susceptibility to influenza
• Nervous tic

Other less common side effects have been reported:

• Disturbed sleep and insomnia
• Hives or other allergic reactions
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Increased risk of complications in people with high blood pressure
  and heart disease
• Increased risk of complications with people with narrow angle
  glaucoma

MORE CHOICES; EASIER DOSES; STILL DANGEROUS

With a much larger selection of medications available for the treatment of “ADHD”, parents have more “options” to choose from and are lulled into a false sense of security about giving their “problem children” these still-dangerous drugs. “Long acting,” “sustained release,” “non-stimulant,” are all catch phrases used to market the latest generations of “ADHD” medications. Long Acting Stimulants generally have a duration of 8-12 hours and have the advantage of being taken just once a day. This is convenient for children and parents when the child is unable or unwilling to take the medication at school.

ADDERALL and ADDERALL XR

For use in children ages 3 years and up. Adderall and Adderall XR are “cocktail” mixtures of amphetamines. Adderall XR is sustained release, and comes in capsule form that can be opened up and sprinkled into a child’s apple sauce if the child won’t swallow the pill.
The side effects of Adderall XR include, in approximate order of frequency:
Common: Appetite loss, weight loss, insomnia,headaches, and dizziness. Moderate: nervousness, irritability, over-stimulation, restlessness, unpleasant taste in mouth, dry mouth, stomach pain, diarrhea or constipation,
euphoria, addiction, and developed tolerance. Rare: Phonetic tics, high blood pressure, rapid pulse rate,
increased heart rate, hallucinations, Tourette’s syndrome, and cardiomyopathy

CONCERTA®

Concerta is a once-daily, sustained release form of methyphenidate (Ritalin) for children over the age of six. Side effects include: Abdominal pain, aggravation, nervousness, hostility, sadness, drug dependency, dizziness, headaches, tics,  insomnia and fatigue, loss of appetite, upper respiratory complications, vomiting, allergic reactions, increased blood pressure, and psychosis.

METADATE CD®

Metadate CD is a once-daily, sustained release form of methyphenidate (Ritalin) for children over the age of six. Side effects include: Headaches, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and insomnia.

RITALIN LA

This new version of Ritalin is a long-acting version that, like Adderall, can be added to a child’s food if the child is unable or unwilling to take the drug in its pill form.

The side effects of Ritalin LA include: insomnia, skin rash, urticaria, fever, arthralgia, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema, anorexia, nausea, dizziness, palpitations, headaches, dyskinesia, drowsiness, fluxuating blood pressure and pulse, tachycardia, angina, cardiac arrhythmia, abdominal pain, weight loss, Tourette’s syndrome, toxic psychosis, abnormal liver function, cerebral arteritis, leukopenia and/or anemia, depression, and scalp hair loss.