Cylert was prescribed as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, but was withdrawn from the market in 2005. According to the FDA, the overall risk of liver toxicity associated with Cylert outweighed any benefits of the drug. Fifteen cases of acute liver failure have been recorded, 13 of which resulted in death of liver transplants.
Attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Cylert was prescribed to even out these imbalances.
ADD affects more than 2 million children in the U.S. It is characterized by the child’s inability to pay attention and control his or her behavior. ADD can often continue on into adulthood.
Attention deficit disorder is basically the same as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which is a newer term. ADD may have less of a hyperactivity element to it that ADHD, but they are the same illness.
ADD and ADHD are 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
Narcolepsy is a neurological condition in which the brain loses control over sleep cycles, which it is supposed to regulate carefully. Some people may fall asleep for several seconds or for as much as several hours when they are supposed to be awake. This can take place while working, driving, or conducting other daytime activities. This can, therefore, be a very dangerous illness.
Cylert caused serious liver failure; patients taking Cylert were 10 to 25 times more likely to experience liver failure than people who were not taking Cylert. If you or your child was injured because of Cylert, contact a personal injury attorney.
Tags: ADD, ADHD, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Cylert, FDA recall, narcolepsy