June 30, 2008
Child ADHD Drug Now Approved For Grownups
That's right. The FDA today approved Concerta, a stimulant, for use in treating ADHD/ADD in adults. Like Ritalin, it contains methylphenidate, so here we go giving adults speed to make them productive workers. If someone wants to take this drug due to genuine problems, fine. Get a complete cardiac work up first, OK?
I'm looking forward to the marketing campaign that will come from J&J, a division of which makes the drug.
Posted by Philip Dawdy at June 30, 2008 02:30 PM
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What I will be looking for is how J&J will try to minimize the sizeable percentage of people with legitimate ADD who do not respond to Concerta because of the way it is metabolized/absorbed. I see more than 50% complain they do not see a reasonable response with this formulation and go to the sustained release formulations of SR or XR compounds like Ritalin, Metadate, or Methylin that don't have that 'gimmick' of 10-20% being allegedly fast acting and the rest long release as is Concerta.
Again, in legitimate people with diagnosed ADD, not people masquerading as ADD who are addicts or looking for stimulant effects for studying or long drives.
J&J are making a "concerted" effort to increase their market share, nothing more.
