Adderall
Adderall continues to be used as a treatment for patients with hyperactivity disorder, which is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, and usually begins during early childhood. Adderall has been linked to more than 12 deaths and multiple strokes, mostly in children. The FDA released a warning that patients with underlying heart defects should not use the medication, since nearly half of the deaths were children who had defects.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is diagnosed by a doctor who looks for signs like:
· inability to sit still
· blurting out answers without waiting
· inability to wait for a turn
· fidgeting and squirming
· inability to get along with other children
· being easily distracted
· skipping from one task to another without completing any
· inability to follow directions clearly
· other behavioral problems
However, many people mistakenly think their child has ADHD. Experts believe that a traumatic event in a child’s life, like the death of a family member or child abuse, or underlying medical conditions like undetected seizures, ear infections, brain disorders or a learning disability may also contribute to ADHD-like behavior.
Only medical specialists can diagnose ADHD. They will look for causes like:
- environmental agents like cigarette smoking by the parents during pregnancy and toxins like lead poisoning
- traumatic brain injury
- food allergies
- food additives and sugar
- genetics
Children with ADHD are usually prescribed therapy and medication that falls under the “stimulant” category. Adderall is a stimulant with the generic name amphetamine, and is actually a mixture of four different types of amphetamine salts. Stimulants should not make the child more hyperactive, but instead may have to be used in tandem with antidepression medication for children who exhibit signs of depression and/or anxiety.
Side effects of Adderall include:
- appetite loss
- headache
- stomachache
- insomnia
- dizziness
- nervousness
- irritability
- diarrhea
Many children also become addicted to Adderall and it is hard to stop treatment.
If your child suffered an injury from taking Adderall, including heart failure, stroke or death, contact a personal injury attorney immediately.