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Adderall Death And Side Effects

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The FDA has received a number of reports of Adderall heart attack, Adderall stroke, and even Adderall death in both children and adults, and the numbers are likely to increase as more children are prescribed Adderall for ADHD. Adderall heart problems are also reported in people prescribed the drug for bipolar disorder and in college students who buy it as a street drug, mistakenly believing Adderall is a “smart drug”.

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Adderall Death and Side Effects

Adderall and Adderall XR are powerful blends of four amphetamines that include Dexedrine and Benzedrine. Adderall is a strong stimulant prescribed to children and adults to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In February 2006 the FDA reported 51 deaths in patients taking ADHD medications, including Adderall.

Adderall VictimAdderall and Adderall XR (generic name Amphetamine Mixed Salts) are powerful blends of four amphetamines that include Dexedrine and Benzedrine and were originally made for weight loss. Adderall XR (extended release) was approved for children over 6 in 2001 and Adderall (approved in 1996) is prescribed for children over 3 years.

It is also prescribed to patients with bipolar disorder, but some health professionals believe that Adderall could be very dangerous for these people: If someone with bipolar disorder takes the drug during a manic stage of the condition they could go into psychosis, which can be very dangerous, both to themselves and others.

Adderall Abuse

Adderall abuse can have life damaging affects, including addiction and dependency. Increasingly, Adderall is consumed as a street drug, and is particularly popular with college students, believing the “smart drug” helps their studies. Unfortunately, it is a gateway drug to many users, many of whom move on to harder drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine.

In a study published in the American Heart Journal, researchers found that amphetamine abusers faced 3.3 times the risk of developing a torn aorta after reviewing medical records of nearly 31 million patients nationwide, ages 18 to 49. Adderall and Adderall XR are classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration, US Department of Justice as Schedule II Substances, which means that Adderall and Adderall XR have a "high potential for abuse" that "may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence." The US federal government sets limits on the amount of these amphetamine drugs that may be manufactured each year.

The National Public Radio (November 22, 2011) reported that Adderall prescription users may have trouble finding Adderall at the local pharmacy, possibly due to a distribution problem: the drug is widely available illegally, especially in high schools and in colleges.

Adderall Heart Attack and Adderall Stroke

In 2004, Shire Pharmaceuticals, the Adderall distributor, voluntarily reported to the FDA 20 deaths by heart attack and 12 strokes: Fourteen of those deaths and two of those 12 strokes were in children. Most of those deaths occurred in individuals who were taking Adderall in a prescribed manner. Adderall is manufactured by Catalytica Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Greenville, North Carolina and is distributed by Shire. Generic equivalents (known as "amphetamine salts," "mixed amphetamines," or simply "amphetamines," to pharmacists) are also distributed in the US by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals and Ranbaxy Laboratories.

In 2005, Health Canada suspended sales of Adderall following reports of possibly 20 sudden deaths and 12 strokes. However, the stimulant was put back on the Canadian market six months later because an independent panel couldn't "accurately ascertain whether the drug increases risk of cardiac death." Health Canada is closely monitoring the Adderall risks and Adderall side effects.

In early 2006, the FDA's advisory panel learned that during the time period 1999 to 2003 there were 81 deaths and 54 non-fatal cardiovascular events possibly linked to the ADHD/ADD drugs. Adderall was involved in more fatal case reports than any other ADHD/ADD drug, with 24 deaths reported during 1999 to 2003. The chairman of the panel, Dr. Peter Gross, likened Adderall to Vioxx (Vioxx was recalled after a long delayed discovery that it substantially increases risk of heart attack or stroke). The panel concluded a black box warning was needed on Adderall and the other ADHD/ADD drugs.

However, Shire Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer, stated that it agreed with the FDA's desire for more safety studies concerning its drug, but disagreed with the FDA advisory panel's recommendation that a black-box warning be put on Adderall. Sales of Adderall XR, distributed by Shire Pharmaceuticals, were $759 million in the US in 2004 and $10 million in Canada.

Adderall and ADHD/ADD

According to the American Psychiatric Association, ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorder in children. Yet a growing number of health experts believe that ‘supposed’ ADHD children should not be prescribed stimulants. Further, in February 2006 an FDA Advisory Committee stated that ADHD drugs are being prescribed to too many children because the ADHD diagnosis is so controversial. Nearly 15 million Americans have been diagnosed with ADHD, many of whom are prescribed Adderall.

Increasing, diagnosis of attention problems in both children and adults have contributed to prescription growth; According to the Wall Street Journal, Shire R&D chief Jeff Jonas said there is an increased awareness that ADHD is actually a lifelong disorder, which is likely good news for Adderall makers.

Adderall XR is approved for children 6 years of age and older but may be prescribed to children younger than 6 years of age. ADHD is characterized by restlessness, the inability to focus, difficulty sitting still and trouble controlling impulses.

Adderall Side Effects

Adderall has been linked to sudden death and serious cardiovascular problems. Side effects can include:
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • High blood pressure
  • Hypertension
  • Arrhythmia
  • Seizure
  • Dyskinesia
  • Exacerbation of Tourette's syndrome
  • Worsening of tics
Adderall has also been linked to psychiatric problems, including symptoms of psychosis in patients who have no history or risk factors for psychosis. The symptoms include:
  • Aggression
  • Psychosis and mania
  • Hallucinations
Adderall's label currently warns, "Misuse of amphetamine may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse events." Normal side effects of the drug include loss of appetite, difficulty falling asleep, stomachache, headache, weight loss, and dry mouth.

Recent findings released by FDA show a possible link between Adderall and the deaths of 51 individuals taking the medication. Meanwhile, FDA said it will conduct thorough research on the safety of Adderall and other ADHD drugs.

Adderall Lawsuits

Adderall lawsuits allege that Shire Pharmaceuticals was negligent and marketed a dangerous product that injured many patients who took the drug.

Litigation involving Ritalin, a similar ADHD drug, claimed that Novartis, the manufacturer of Ritalin, conspired to invent the diagnosis of ADHD, a diagnosis that is not recognized in many other countries.

A $10 million lawsuit filed in November 2011 against the Oregon State Hospital alleges that a mental patient, Joshua Jaschke, age 32, suffered two heart attacks because he was overmedicated and mistreated at the Salem psychiatric facility.

The Marion County civil suit claims that Jaschke was prescribed Adderall, along with other medications, which caused him "to feel sick and suffer pain and heart attacks and permanent damage to his heart." According to the Adderall lawsuit, Jaschke suffered two heart attacks during a one-week period in November 2009.

Adderall Legal Help

If you or a family member has been affected by Adderall, you may qualify for damages or remedies that might be awarded in a possible class action or lawsuit. Please fill out the Adderall Complaint form below.
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ADDERALL LEGAL ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS

Is Adderall Addling Pro Athletes’ Brains?
Is Adderall Addling Pro Athletes’ Brains? Baltimore, MD It’s mind-boggling, how athletes like the NFL’s Haloti Ngata and Orioles slugger Chris Davis think they can take Adderall without a legitimate doctor’s prescription and not get caught. Perhaps they’ve been taking the amphetamine for so long it’s rattled their brains [READ MORE]

Adderall Whistleblowers Result in $56.5 Million Blow to Shire Pharmaceuticals
Adderall Whistleblowers Result in $56.5 Million Blow to Shire Pharmaceuticals Washington, DC Shire Pharmaceuticals, the Adderall manufacturer, took a major blow last month: the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and a number of state AGs announced a settlement with the Irish drug company regarding violations of the False Claims Act [READ MORE]

FDA to Study How Teens View Drugs
FDA to Study How Teens View Drugs Washington, DC The FDA has announced it is undertaking a study to better understand how teens view prescription medications. This information is important because some drugs, such as Adderall, may be frequently prescribed to teens, who may not fully understand or appreciate the risks of Adderall side effects or adverse reactions. This information may also be vital because some drugmakers, including the maker of Adderall, have been warned by the FDA about marketing their drug to teens and adolescents [READ MORE]




READER COMMENTS

Posted by
Wisconsin
on
My fiance was put on adderall it destroyed
. His anxiety and depression became worse. He wouldnt sleep for days stayed hallucinating thinking bug and demons were after him he ended up going through psychosis. He would be paranoid and not want to leave his room. I came home one night he was going through a psychosis episode. I was very scared for him. I was told if i called the police they could force him to go to the hospital. Well it didnt work out that way he ended up going to jail because of what happend. Adderall should be taken off the market. Because of adderall he is now a felon. His doctor was well aware of what it was doing to him but pushed him to keep taking it

Posted by
Christina
on
Caused hypertension after only 6 months of 20mg daily. Hypertension led to early birth of child. Scary stuff

Posted by
Boston
on
This drug should be taken off the market. One daughter suffered psychosis and bipolar disorder - not sure if the drug caused the bipolar condition but the Harvard and Mass General doctors said the psychosis was brought on by Adderall. Another daughter became anorexic and addicted as it is all over campuses.
Both of them were prescribed the drug because they knew what to say to get it and neither has ADHD. The doctors who prescribe and the drug companies are to blame for this epidemic.

Posted by
North Carolina
on
My son started taking this drug in 1998 shortly after starting kindergarten. His teacher recommended we take him to the pediatrician and get him on 'meds' as he had a hard time sitting still and concentrating. He began having nose bleeds and horrible headaches from 1998 until 2001, when he was rushed to the hospital because he could not stand or feel his legs. Later on we found out that he may have suffered a small stroke from a neurologist. I would not give this medication to any child, ever.

Posted by
Joao Luis Castropil Silva
on
My son has developed tolerance to Adderall, got adicted and ended up taking his own life.
He was diagnosed with ADD at the age of 19 yo without any research in the first visit to the doctor.
He was always good student and never had any ADD syntoms.
Is there anything I can do to make either the doctor or the manufacturer to pay for this crime?

Posted by
Tina
on
I started on Adderal about 10 months ago for concentration and it helped but had two strokes in the last month. The only other health risk that could've played a role beside stress was that I was dehydrated! All my levels were completely normal and my heart shows nothing! I would love to know why this happen...I am 48 years old and am very healthy.

Posted by
Kim
on
I take 20mg twice a day of Adderal ir. From reading all these comments it makes me a bit nervous. I've been on it about seven months. My blood pressure is actually better now that I'm on it. I sleep better. Only thing is my pulse always is around a 100 or more up to 120 just sitting but it was like that before the adderall so I don't know if this is something I should worry about. I don't have any negative side effects from it. Maybe a little less social but that's it nothing physical.

Posted by
Melisa Pal
on
I definitely won't take Adderall anymore. I been taking it for about 3 years and I have chest pain that never goes away. My doctors just think it's acid reflex but nothing helps. They still can't figure it out. It scares me.

Posted by
Elisa
on
My son was 4 years old when he was prescribed Adderall. After a little over a month on the medication, he began having visual, auditory and sensory hallucinations of flies and bees biting him and buzzing in his ears. I immediately took him off the medication and returned it to the doctor who prescribed it.
Since that time, he has experienced heart palpitations, headaches and extremely high blood pressure at times. I don't believe that anyone should take this medication for any reason whatsoever.

Posted by
Leslie Starks
on
To whom this concerns, listed below is the mild to severe side effects that my 10 year old son experiences after taking Adderall, such as mild to severe headaches, numbness and pain in his legs and feet, stomach pains, increased heart rate and chest pains , dizziness, sleep problems, loss of appetite and weight, and he has some skin rashes, now according to this artical listed below the doctor must be contacted and the admissions of this drug is to be stopped and reported to the FDA, I do not want my son to be taking this drug because I fear that it will cause permanent damage or death to my son.
I have contacted his doctor, and she said that the headaches could be from his symptoms of ADHD, and I asked her why would she prescribe a drug that causes headaches and sudden death to a ten year old child, she didn't give answer and rushed me off the phone. Please can anyone give me some advice and or help

Posted by
Leslie Starks
on
To whom this concerns, listed below is the mild to severe side effects that my 10 year old son experiences after taking Adderall, such as mild to severe headaches, numbness and pain in his legs and feet, stomach pains, increased heart rate and chest pains , dizziness, sleep problems, loss of appetite and weight, and he has some skin rashes, now according to this artical listed below the doctor must be contacted and the admissions of this drug is to be stopped and reported to the FDA, I do not want my son to be taking this drug because I fear that it will cause permanent damage or death to my son.
I have contacted his doctor, and she said that the headaches could be from his symptoms of ADHD, and I asked her why would she prescribe a drug that causes headaches and sudden death to a ten year old child, she didn't give answer and rushed me off the phone. Please can anyone give me some advice and or help.

Posted by
Dr Frivilous
on
I would recommend that before you initiate a lawsuit, that you are shown the reputable literature and case studies.
Adderall use does NOT cause harm. But like every other medication including tylenol and robutussin, misuse and/ or pre-existing medical conditions obviously changes the entire picture.
DON'T WAST YOUR TIME CHASING AMBULANCES!

Posted by
David O
on
I feel disable after taking Adderall for a period of 2 years. I was left with a chronic chest pain that none of the doctors or specialist have been able to diagnose. I went to the emergency room twice and both time doctors said I had costocondritis. The doctors said I will be fine after 6 months but this pain in my chest have become chronic. I had been suffering chest pains for the past 5 years I believe. It all started while I was taking Adderall, both CAT scan said I do not have any heart or internal problems. I also went trough other test like a bone density test which came out fine. I also feel that my energy level decrease a lot, in conclusion I feel every day as a disable human being. I have not been able to be 100% productive in my life.I hope Shire can put this as an awareness and I can find a cure and help with this issue.

Thanks!
David Ordonez

Posted by
Michigan
on
My 64 year old husband abused adderall for years, he would be extremely angry when I would beg him to stop. It gave him symptoms of being bipolar, high blood pressure, and extreme anger. He suffered a brain stem stroke at work, and tragically passed away two days later. Doctors prescribing adderall to people with addictive personality should be charged with malpractice! I'm considering filing a lawsuit against this "doctor", who is making a fortune prescribing adderall to patients. He is legally pedaling meth to hundreds of people, without a conscience.

Posted by
Karen
on
I am very concerned about my 84 year old mother who was recently prescribed Adderall for depression. She has high blood pressure to begin with yet was still prescribed Adderall. She has been on it for 7 days now and 2 days ago she said she woke up in the a.m. feeling like she could not get enough air in her lungs, not shortness of breath, just not being able to take a deep enough breath. Does anyone have any ideas or thoughts on Adderall for the elderly? Thank you.

Posted by
kerry
on
I tried Adderall prescribed by my Neurologist for talking non stop and said I have ADD at 54 years old. I also have severe anxiety attacks. I took a very low dose 10mg then to 5mg and had severe anxiety at first. Once my body got use to the drug I felt clam fro the first time and did not need my Ativian for anxiety. When the drug wore off around 5PM I had horrible crashes and was up all night. I could not figure out how to beat the crashes and my body needing the drug. I suffered after it wore off and get great during the day. I recently stopped taking only 5mg which was enough for my sensitive body to see if I felt any difference. I became very ill and was in remission with a very rare disease with no cure Mastoypotis in my skin. I believe this drug caused my illness to surface. After reading about the sudden death my primary doctor told me not to take it again that there have been more sudden death cases. Why would anyone take this drug with all these risk to the heart!

Posted by
bruce
on
My healthy daughter had a large vertebral artery stroke on Adderall in May of 2015. She has residual left sided deficits. I believe if there was proper warning for this medication, it would be used less.

Posted by
Jennifer Stephens
on
My 11 year old son was completely healthy and the only medicine he took was 10mg of Adderall for ADHD. On February 25, 2015 he had an aneurysm rupture in his brain and led to a massive stroke which caused severe brain damage. The doctors dug deeply to find any reason, genetic, medical, etc that would have caused an 11 year old to develop and rupture an aneurysm. They did extensive testing and came up with no medical reason. I stayed in the hospital with Collier Gray for almost 8 months and watched my child pass away on October 18, 2015 from the effects of brain damage.

Posted by
Ron
on
I know a family that PUT all their children on ADD/ADHD...Foolish PARENTS.
1. Let the schools/DR'S put kids on this drug!
2. O and they uses Scare-tactics to! Fool's.
EX-wife has my two son's on it and I can't seem to get her DUMB brain to see! O wait she is abusing it hmm. My son's are walking tooth picks! And I'm pissed off. I have to force them to eat!
I just got my wife off of it. She was on it 14 yrs! caused main health issues. Heart issues! She is off it now for 15 days. Hospitalized for 10 days! She is not in calm water yet but the storm is settling. BAN THIS DRUG! This is the work of the devil.
DON'T be talked into it PARENTS!!! Stand your ground. Kids have energy! Remember when you where young? DO NOT put children in adult problems it causes psychological problems, LET THEM BE KIDS......

Posted by
Michaela dickens
on
I have been on adderall many years and recently stopped and suffered horrid side effects. This drug caused me to have hypertension , heart palpitations, shortness of breath, arrhythmia, chest pain, fever, nausea, vomitting, brain fog, short term memory poor, headaches, depression, thoughts of suicide, body aches, teeth deteriorated, psychosis, dependency, and body sores as if I was a meth addict which made me isolate myself with scars all over my body including my scalp. I have lost my marriage, jobs, friends, and pretty well lost my life since I started this drug. I have pictures of my body and the riddles of sores, scars etc this drug left me to be reminded of daily. I am not the successful registered nurse, beautiful outgoing woman I once was thanks to adderall. Yes I had a legit script, btw....

Posted by
Robert
on
At this very moment my 20 year old son has cardiomyopathy. He is in Johns Hopkins, he has congestive heart failure. His heart is twice the normal size. His heart is working at a 10% rate. He will need a transplant. Because his age and being on Adderall for years, used as prescribed by the doctor. Right now I am hearing from Hopkins a direct link from the Adderall. 9/11/2015. Never give your child these drugs. As a joint custody parent I never agreed with this treatment. I knew the warning of future drug addiction never did I hear of this side affect.

Posted by
Montana
on
My sister died due to cardiac arrest and was on Adderall.

Posted by
California
on
Stroke with brain damage and weakness on left side. Memory loss, cognitive difficulties, lessened IQ and still unable to return to work.

Posted by
Alabama
on
Chest pains, anxiety and difficulty sleeping.

Posted by
Massachusetts
on
I suffered a stroke on June 13, 2013. I was taking Adderall as prescribed and have been since 2000. I was in a coma for 6 days before I came to and had hospital bills that cost over $100,000.

Posted by
Florida
on
The passing of my daughter. I lost my daughter and my 5 grandchildren have lost their mother.

Posted by
Wyoming
on
Our family has lost a child, sibling, etc. due to the negligence of the pharmaceutical company not notifying patients of known possible side effects.

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