Comments: Bad News on Dangers of Psych Meds
I think that everyone is physiologically different and that ADHD medication may be contraindicated in certain individuals. I think that kids should not take anything like ADHD medication, but as an adult with ADHD, but I know several people that I would never be able to function without it. I would agree that black box warnings should appear on any prescription medication containing Ritalin.
That NYT article does not mention that the 25 sudden deaths reported are over the course of a number of years. The incidence of sudden death from other medications may prove to be narrowly close or slightly greater than those now blamed on use of ADHD medication.
I think the main problem is dosage. People are sheep. They think that when their headache doesn't go away they take more aspirin. They think when they're not drunk they should drink more. They think when their kid is screaming that they haven't given the kid enough of his/her ADHD medication. Putting warning labels on boxes only relieves the FDA of the responsibility that should be levied on parents. I think if there was further investigation of those deaths, we would find out that a number of them were related to going over the recommended dosage on more than one occasion or on the occasion of the death.
Posted by E.J. at February 10, 2006 08:44 AM
thanks for the comment. yep these things are always complex as to dosages and whatnot. and yes those deaths happened over a 4 year period (99-03). and yep getting more information out there so patients can make informed choices is a great idea. meds are touchy beasts.
Posted by Dawdy at February 10, 2006 12:22 PM