ADHD Drugs and Heart Risks

Children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have substantially increased over the years. At school, children now line up to receive their daily ADHD medications. The National Institutes of Heath estimates that 2 million U.S. children are diagnosed with ADHD. Similarly, the numbers of adults diagnosed with ADHD and Adult ADD have also doubled in the last few years.

The FDA has announced that they have received reports linking ADHD drugs to cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, and myocardial infarction. In some reports these ailments led to death. With this alarming news, the FDA has challenged the Drug Safety and Risk Management committee to review the cardiovascular risks with ADHD drug treatments.

Several popular ADHD drug treatments prescribed to children, teens, and adults include: Adderall, Strattera, Ritalin, Concerta, Wellbutrin, Desipramine, Dexedrine, Prozac, Methylin, Metadate, Desoxyn, and Focalin. In the past, some of these drugs were in the news with allegations of cancer risks, liver damage, and heart damage.

ADHD Drugs In the News

Aug-22-06: FDA changes Dexedrine labeling to warn of sudden death risk for children and adolescents with heart problems. [USA TODAY]

Mar-17-06: Cephalon's ADHD Drug May See Black Box Warning Label. [FORBES]

Feb-08-06:FDA reports 51 deaths of children and adults taking ADHD drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall. The FDA plans to investigate a risk of sudden death, high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes in patients taking ADHD medication. [WASHINGTON POST]

Jan-03-06: The drug companies that make ADHD drugs will work closely with the FDA to analyze the risks of several ADHD drugs. Adderall will likely be one of the drugs under scrutiny as it contains amphetamine which has been known to cause heart problems. [BLOOMBERG]

Nov-01-05: A New England study on ADHD shows that the number of adult women diagnosed with ADHD is 21% higher than adult men age 20-44. The study also reveals that there are 8 million adults with ADHD in the U.S. and 4 million children. [NEPSY.COM]

Register your ADHD Drug Complaint

If you or your child has suffered heart damage after taking ADHD or ADD drugs, you may qualify for damages or remedies that may be awarded in a possible class action lawsuit. Click on the link below to submit your complaint.