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New Reports of ADHD Drugs and the FDA
Considering the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been fumbling the “safety ball” a lot lately, people, including the media, have begun paying closer attention to what the agency is doing…or rather, not doing.
That could be why the FDA has been putting for the extra effort in its safety evaluation of drugs already on the market. Case in point: During a meeting of the FDA’s Pediatric Advisory Committee, officials discussed adding new warnings to Concerta and other attention deficit and hyperactivity drugs containing methylphenidate (the active ingredient in Ritalin and other drugs).
According to a briefing document about the meeting, the review was prompted by reports of:
1. Hallucinations
2.
Suicidal thoughts
3.
Psychotic behavior
4.
Aggression
And while Concert’s label already lists possible psychiatric side effects, it merely suggests the problems aren’t serious or that the drug may only magnify already existing problems.
Other harmful effects associated with Concera, per reports received by the FDA, include cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, arrhythmia and racing heartbeats; however, the FDA is unsure whether these effects are caused by the drug. (Let’s hope not, considering patients filled 7.8 million prescriptions of Concerta just last year.)
Here are some effective ways to help those with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder):
1. Balance omega-3 and omega-6 fats by taking a high-quality fish or cod lover oil supplement daily.
2.
Replace soft drinks, sugary fruit juices and pasteurized milk with pure water.
3.
Eliminate sugar and grains from your diet.
4.
Exercise
5.
Get regular chiropractic adjustments.
Yours in health,
Lynne Sullivan D.C.
www.drsully.com
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