Washington, DCGiven the propensity for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) amongst the American population, it's little wonder that drugs designed to treat the condition are flying off pharmacy shelves. But what of the adverse reactions to drugs such as Adderall? Adderall side effects have proven more than just problematic for some people. For some, the result has been grievous health incidents, or even death.
One of the adverse reactions associated with Adderall is Adderall heart attack—and that possibility is not confined to adults with ADHD. There have been reports of children suffering Adderall stroke as well as heart incidents. Part of the problem, say experts, is the increasing incidents for the drug to be abused.
The possibility of Adderall abuse—and the underlying health risks—was brought home during a recent episode of 'Dr. Drew,' the television program hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky, a board-certified internist and addiction medicine specialist who featured as a guest on his show Joanie Gammill, a registered nurse and author of 'The Interventionist.'
According to a transcript of the show posted on CNN.com (7/2/12), Gammill admitted to Adderall addiction that led to Adderall heart problems.
"I almost had a heart attack on the Adderall," she told Pinsky in an interview. Gammill describes walking up a street to collect her daughter from parochial school when she began to experience chest pain. "I had lost complete control over the Adderall. I don't know how many pills I had taken that day. I vomited on the side of the streets and I knew as a registered nurse that I was having [an Adderall heart attack]."
Gammill, who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, was prescribed Adderall to counter her newly revealed condition. After being rushed to hospital and undergoing two cardiac catheterizations, doctors could not explain the lack of oxygen to her heart and Gammill was discharged, along with instructions to continue to take her medications, including Adderall for her ADHD.
Adderall is a mix of amphetamines and is commonly prescribed to treat the growing diagnoses of ADHD. Therein, say various experts, lay the makings for a perfect storm: a growing number of legitimate prescriptions for an amphetamine-based medication that is thought to be highly addictive and is widely abused, if Gammill's case is any indication.
Adderall ADHD patients will take too much Adderall. College students will obtain Adderall illicitly as a study aid. The result can lead to heart incidents and stroke, as well as aggression and mania, psychosis and hallucinations. Adderall lawsuits allege negligence on the part of manufacturer Shire Pharmaceuticals.
There have been numerous incidents of Adderall death. And the effects of Adderall can be felt in children as young as three. An extended release version, Adderall XR, is prescribed to children as young as 6.
Nurse Gammill had no history of heart problems when she suffered an Adderall heart incident.
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