Health Canada recently released a statement warning of potential psychotic reactions to ADHD medications. The public advisory also said that patient and labeling information will be changed to reflect "the potential for psychiatric adverse affects."

The new safety concerns come four months after Health Canada warned ADHD drugs can carry rare heart risks, including a risk of sudden death.

That public advisory cautioned that any child or adult with high blood pressure, heart disease or heart abnormalities, hardening of the arteries or an overactive thyroid gland should not use Ritalin or seven other medications. (Source: Canwest News Service)

The same drugs are mentioned in this new advisory: Ritalin and Ritalin SR, Adderall XR, Attenade, Biphentin, Concerta, Dexedrine and Strattera. Heath Canada expects label changes to be complete by December, Canwest News reported.

Labels: medications, dangers, Canada, warnings

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Consumer Reports has warned parents to be wary of any free samples they get from their doctors for the treatment of ADHD. The samples are often for high-priced, brand-name drugs that could be replaced with a generic brand:

Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs says it found two generic ADHD drugs, dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate, are as safe and effective as well-known drugs like Adderall XR, Concerta or Strattera.

Its concern is that parents, after first using the more-expensive drugs they get as free samples, will stick with those drugs because they know how their kids react to them.

Parents can save considerable amounts of money by using the less-expensive medications.

Labels: medications, warnings

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