This is another very good question. Depending on who you ask, you will no doubt receive many divergent (and conflicting) answers. This is probably the hardest part for parents to wrap their wits around. One would think that a medically trained doctor would never prescribe a pill with side effects so potentially hazardous to a child’s health and well being.
So here are some cold, hard facts. First of all, let’s look at the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADD/ADHD. These are:
-
Ritalin (methylphenindate) **
-
Dexedrine (dextro-amphetamine) **
-
Adderall (mixed dextro- and levo-amphetamine) **
-
Gradumet (methamphetamine, ‘speed’, ‘ice’) **
-
Desoxyn (methamphetamine, 'speed,' 'ice') **
-
Cylert - (pemoline) is a central nervous system stimulant
-
Concerta - is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant
-
Methylin - (methylphenidate HCl) is a mild central nervous system (CNS)
-
Strattera - is the first non-stimulant medication approved for the treatment of ADHD(1)
** These drug are rated as ‘Schedule II’ drugs by the Drug Enforcement Agency in the US.
A controlled (scheduled) drug is one whose use and distribution is tightly controlled because of its abuse potential or risk. Controlled drugs are rated in the order of their abuse risk and placed in Schedules by the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The drugs with the highest abuse potential are placed in Schedule I, and those with the lowest abuse potential are in Schedule V.
Schedule II — These drugs can cause severe psychological or physical dependence. Schedule II drugs include certain narcotic, stimulant, and depressant drugs. Some examples are morphine, cocaine, oxycodone (Percodan®), methylphenidate (Ritalin®), and (Dexedrine®). (Excerpted from Texas State Board of Pharmacy).
The FDA has required that black box warnings be placed on all antidepressant medications warning they may result in increased risk of suicidal tendencies in children and adolescents; therefore, Strattera bears such a warning.
Dr. Breggin says that most psychiatric drugs can cause withdrawal reactions, sometimes including life-threatening emotional and physical withdrawal problems. In short, it is not only dangerous to start taking psychiatric drugs, it can also be dangerous to stop them. Withdrawal from psychiatric drugs should be done carefully under experienced clinical supervision.
Effect on the developing brain — The long-term impact of ADD / ADHD medication on the youthful, developing brain is not yet known. Some researchers are concerned that the use of drugs such as Ritalin in children and teens might interfere with normal brain development.
Heart-related problems — ADD / ADHD stimulant medications have been found to cause sudden death in children and adults with heart conditions. The American Heart Association recommends that all individuals, including children, have a cardiac evaluation prior to starting a stimulant. An electrocardiogram is recommended if the person has a history of heart problems.
Psychiatric problems — Stimulants for ADD / ADHD can trigger or exacerbate symptoms of hostility, aggression, anxiety, depression, and paranoia. People with a personal or family history of suicide, depression, or bipolar disorder are at a particularly high risk, and should be carefully monitored when taking stimulants.
It is Dr. Baughman’s particular medical and scientific background that has led him to view the "epidemic" of one particular "disease"--Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)--with increasing alarm. Dr. Baughman describes this himself. Referring to psychiatry, he says: "They made a list of the most common symptoms of emotional discomfiture of children; those which bother teachers and parents most, and in a stroke that could not be more devoid of science or Hippocratic motive--termed them a 'disease.' Twenty five years of research, not deserving of the term 'research.,' has failed to validate ADD/ADHD as a disease. Tragically--the "epidemic" having grown from 500 thousand in 1985 to between 5 and 7 million today--this remains the state of the 'science' of ADHD."
If your child has experienced a negative reaction to a psychiatric drug please fill out the appropriate forms by going to:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/alt_formats/pdf/medeff/report-declaration/ar-ei_form-eng.pdf
Canada
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/medwatch-online.htm
United States
