FDA issues warning on ADHD drugs, including Adderall. 25 deaths due to heart attack (from various ADHD drugs, not just Adderall ), plus increased risk of stroke and arrhythmia.

adderall.net (20 deaths reported)
adderallxr.com side effects (manufacturer’s site)

Government publication – adverse developmental and reproductive effects

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Most side effects minor, but 2 of 24 subjects experienced cardiac abnormalities, and one had a grand mal seizure.

www.fda.gov (increased suicide risk in teens)

Warning to nursing mothers.

www.fda.gov FDA doc listing adverse reactions

FDA warning of psychosis risk , hallucinations, difficulty in urinating.

www.fda.gov

From manufacturer (Bristol Myers Squibb) info :  risk of possible elevated blood pressure in patients who are taking MAOI’s.

Bristol Myers Squibb (see page 4)

May be carcinogenic, according to Calif Health Director. 

Multiple adverse effects :  tardive dyskinesia , neuroleptic malignant syndrome.   Also contains sodium metabisulfite, which can trigger allergic reactions, which can potentially be life-threatening in certain asthmatic individuals.

Suspected in 2 sudden deaths when taken with Ritalin.   Abnormal ekg’s.

Potentially fatal heart problem associated with Clozapine.

Side Effect #1
Side Effect #2 increased risk of seizures
Side Effect #3 rare but severe - agranulocytosis - (blood disorder )

Anhidrosis  (lack of sweating ).     Information from Merck’s warnings state that “severe anhidrosis and fatal hyperthermia have occurred “.  Minor adverse reactions include tachycardia, dry mouth, and nausea.

Withdrawn due to fatal liver failure.   However, still sold under generic name pemoline.    

www.fda.gov

WITHDRAWN May 2005.    Abbott Labs chose to stop producing product because ‘risk of liver toxicity outweighs benefits of this product.”

Listed as valproic acid

Maternal use during pregnancy may cause autism! 

Possible risk in families with history of cardiac problems

Mild adverse effects noted :   headaches, nausea, vomiting, insomnia.
Tone of ARRI article is positive about the drug.

Note:   ARRI 1994 article outdated.     In a 2002 letter from the FDA to the manufacturer (Wallace Pharmaceuticals)

www.fda.gov

the FDA referenced Wallace’s listed adverse reactions of “leukemia, including myelogenous leukemia, and lymphoma, including T-cell and B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders.”

Possible harm to brain cells

Serious heart problems

Possible negative interaction with grapefruit juice

www.pfizer.com

Link to xerostomia  (dry mouth syndrome ) 

August 2007 FDA document lists sudden death, QT prolongation and Torsades de Pointes, and Tardive Dyskinesia , and fatal bronchopneumonia as adverse reactions.    

www.fda.gov

No adverse effects mentioned

Worsening of seizures in some individuals;  may precipitate the onset of grand mal seizures.   Also, respiratory depression, slurred speech, tremor, vertigo, coma. 

Hand tremor, diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, seizures, blackouts,  + dozens more.

FDA warning about increase in suicidal thoughts and acts in children.

Increased risk for blood clots.

www.fda.gov

Torsade de pointes-type arrhythmias and sudden death.

“Mild and transient” side effects.

FDA Warning : three times the risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide risk ;  five times the risk of suicide attempts 

www.fda.gov

Potential for fatal respiratory depression :   7 deaths in children under 2

May lower IQ scores   (New England Journal Medicine)

FDA Warning : Increased  risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide risk.

Minor side effects, including weight gain.

www.fda.gov

Drowsiness, fatigue, increase in appetite, anxiety, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, tremor, and rash were among the most common side effects reported.

May increase risk of adult depression.

www.fda.gov

Increased blood pressure and heart rate; stroke and heart attack; sudden death in patients with heart problems   In children, new psychotic symptoms (e.g.  hearing voices), manic symptoms.

Mild side effects of hyperactivity and aggressiveness.

Antipsychotic drugs (such as Stelazine)  may lead to tardive dyskinesia (potentially irreversible, involuntary dyskinetic movements )

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome may also result from antipsychotic drugs.  NMS is a potentially fatal symptom complex which includes irregular pulse and cardiac dysrhythmias.

Dr. Rimland in editor’s note, added side effects associated with carbamazepine included potentially fatal blood, skin, and cardiovascular disorders.

www.fda.gov

Dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, nausea, and vomiting. Also, reports of decreased platelet and white blood cell counts.

Increased risk of venous thromboembolism per Lancet.

www.fda.gov

Antipsychotic drugs (such as Thorazine)  may lead to tardive dyskinesia (potentially irreversible, involuntary dyskinetic movements )

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome may also result from antipsychotic drugs.  NMS is a potentially fatal symptom complex which includes irregular pulse and cardiac dysrhythmias.

As with all antidepressants, increased risk in suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents.

Link to xerostomia  (dry mouth syndrome )  and dental
complications.

Blood dyscrasias, including some with fatal outcome, have been reported to be associated with the use of ethosuximide (Zarontin ).  Also, abnormal liver function studies have been reported, as well as cases of systemic lupus erythematosus.

FDA Warning : Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide risk.   

www.fda.gov

Also, when SSRI’s (like Zoloft) and some anti-migraine medications (triptans)  are used together, a life-threatening condition called Serotonin Syndrome can result.