Dangerous Drugs - Ritalin
Ritalin is a popular stimulant prescribed to children suffering from attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It is also used to treat narcolepsy. It is one of the most widely prescribed drugs in the United States today.
Reported psychiatric side effects of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug include suicidal thoughts, psychotic behavior, aggression, bipolar disorder, other manic symptoms, and hallucinations. Ritalin is also associated with serious cardiovascular side effects including cardiac arrhythmia, tachycardia, chest pain, and hypertension. For children and adolescents with preexisting heart conditions, Ritalin has been known to increase the risk of sudden death. For adults, normal doses of Ritalin can cause sudden death, stroke, and other heart complications.
In one small study of 12 children, scientists from the University of Texas and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found a link between Ritalin and increased risk of cancer. The 12 children in the study taking Ritalin all experienced a significant increase in their level of chromosome abnormalities, occurrences which are associated with increased cancer risk and other adverse health effects. Patients with a history of addiction may become easily dependent on the drug. Additional side effects of Ritalin include loss of appetite, abdominal pain, sleep problems, seizures, blurred vision and headaches. If Ritalin is taken long term, children may be smaller as a result of the appetite suppression side effect.
In 2006, an FDA panel met to discuss 25 reported cases of serious heart conditions connected to Ritalin and similar stimulants. The panel was concerned that there were more cases out there, and they were worried about the cardiovascular effects a stimulant (known to raise blood pressure) could have when taken consistently for long periods of time. The FDA decided to add a black box warning (the strongest warning possible) to packaging for Ritalin and similar drugs to alert consumers of the potential for serious heart problems.
As of late 2006, it was estimated that 2.5 million children and 1.5 million adults were taking Ritalin and similar drugs on a regular basis.
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