Decisions on Adderall with Canadian Ban? | ADHD Information

The one and only related thought I have had is "Wow, Canada is a stupid place." It's Canada for god sakes.

my son had been on adderall xr very sucessfully for 19 months until he developed a facial tic and we were forced to stop. two differant psychiatrists i spoke to said it could be possible for him to use it again down the road after he gets older/matures/gains weight. since we had been a total sucess story, we were happy to hear of that possiblity.

however....

in recent years, my husband had a genetic heart defect fixed, one the cardiologist said is nick named "the widowmaker". we don't know if my children carry that gene but they will be monitored the rest of their lives as a precaution. we were very careful with the adderall xr to have more frequent ekg's than recommended and we checked his bp monthly at the request of the pediatrician. (she said "i would just feel better if you did, for my peace of mind")

with this announcement, dh and i decided, last night in fact, that adderall xr will not be used by our son ever again. we wouldn't want to aggravate a condition that he may or may not be genetically prone to develope.

I am not surprised about the Adderall ban. My daughter was taken off Adderall last month. Her feet became extremely cold and turned purple. We took her to a Childrens hospital.They explained that Adderall constricts the blood vessells where the blood can`t flow properly. She was put on heart medication to open the vessels to help the blood to flow.The doctor said that this doesn`t occur overnight with Adderall it builds over time. If I knew she was going to have these problems, I would have never put her on Adderall. Everyone has to make their own choice.

Jen & Deerfield - What did you decide to do for any alternative ADD/ADHD meds since Adderall didnt work out?

Thanks for your posts.

I too am curious about what people are going to do. I was luck enough to have the first med. my son tried work well. I ahte the thought of having to experiment with others that may not work or make him sick. I plan on calling my doctors tommorrow but I assume they will just tell us to make our own decision. My husband and I did discuss seeing a cardiologist just to make sure he does not have any underlying heart conditions. This is all very scary.

Important information for all:

"Of 12 total cases, five occurred in patients with underlying structural heart defects (abnormal arteries or valves, abnormally thickened walls, etc.), all conditions that increase the risk for sudden death. Several of the remaining cases presented problems of interpretation, including a family history of ventricular tachycardia, association of death with heat exhaustion, dehydration and near-drowning, very rigorous exercise, fatty liver, heart attack, and type 1 diabetes mellitus. One case was reported three to four years after the event and another had above-toxic blood levels of amphetamine. The duration of treatment varied from one day to 8 years. The number of cases of sudden deaths reported for Adderall is only slightly greater, per million prescriptions, than the number reported for methylphenidate products, which are also commonly used to treat pediatric patients with ADHD.

The FDA is continuing to evaluate these and other post-marketing reports of serious adverse events in children, adolescents, and adults being treated with Adderall and related products. When one considers the rate of sudden death in pediatric patients treated with Adderall products based on the approximately 30 million prescriptions written between 1999 and 2003 (the period of time in which these deaths occurred), it does not appear that the number of deaths reported is greater than the number of sudden deaths that would be expected to occur in this population without treatment. For this reason, the FDA has not decided to take any further regulatory action at this time. However, because it appeared that patients with underlying heart defects might be at increased risk for sudden death, the labeling for Adderall XR was changed in August 2004 to include a warning that these patients might be at particular risk, and that these patients should ordinarily not be treated with Adderall products."

Curious to know what people are deciding to do with new info on Adderall ban in Canada. I spoke with my docs office & they are telling patients to make their own decisions but they believe its still safe.

Any other viewpoints or information heard from other peoples doctors?

Adderall is a form of Dexedrine so if possible they can always go to Dexedrine tablets.

RC -

You raise an excellent pt regarding the whole class of stimulant meds, you mention in your last post that "Ritalin has been around for a number of years and I am curious, and kind of skeptical as to why they banned Adderall, when it has basically the same chemical structure as Concerta, and all the other stimulant medications on the market. (The drug that's in Concerta and Ritalin has been studied for over 30 years and has shown to be safe). "

In past conversations, my doctor has raised this same pt to me when considering options other then Adderall saying they are in the same family with minimal differences. Yes, people seem to have different reactions to each but are they ultimately doing the same thing to your body esp if you do have an underlying heart condition.

I feel like I need more answers from our medical community. based on your point of the supposed safety of this family of drugs for the past 30 years. So scary and I don't know if there is a "right" answer except maybe seeing a cardiologist and getting a clean bill of health but even then?

I just spoke to my pharmacist who actually was not aware of the ban in Canada. We are in the US. We spoke for quite some time. He said that Ritilan and Concerta are stimulants too so there are risks there. He also said all medications have risks. he suggested some natural/herbal supps. that could help with memory and attention.. Unfortunately we have the impulsive/hyper issues too. He said I could try supps and the adderall and maybe lower the adderall dose too. He also said trying a really clean diet may help. I am still going to call my doctors. Thanks everyone for your input.

Anyone should be concerned when taking any medication if they have a prexisiting condition as was stated wit circumstances surroundng the Canadian ban. It makes perfect sense that other medications might interact badly or severely if a person has heart problems, diabetes, asthma or any other serious lif threatening condition. ALL MEDICATIONS state in directions that medication should only be taken as precribed and if you havea prexisting condition to notify your physician.

An interesting theory I came across and pasted from another forum:

"I think that it is plausible that with the overdiagnosis of ADHD, the cost of Adderal (It is VERY expensive ) and Canada's socialized healthcare system that Adderal may have gotten too expensive and that this is just an excuse to get rid of it."

I do not know how these different meds compare cost-wise and do not necessarily agree with the statement, but it was an angle I had't initially thought of.

hbone...

we went off the adderall xr cause of the facial tic. within 2 weeks, it had slowed and then disappeared. about a week after that, we started strattera. after about a week of that, the tics started again with a vengence so we stopped it immediately. our primary psychiatrist and his nurse were both in conclusion that perhaps a break from all meds is in order and we will try something else at the beginning of summer vacation. so we are med-less.

between what our psychiatrist & nurse said, what i learned from a lecture i recently attended on adhd meds and what i have read, adderall was really the best choice for my son's specific issues, with strattera second. dh and i have decided not to go back to any medications unless things spiral downward in the future. heck, if other familes can survive med-less and be sucessful, so will we.

we live in a large and highly ranked school district and are blessed with excellant teachers, child study teams and special services/resources. the teachers and staff have been extremely helpful and accomodating to us. my son is in a behavior disorders class currently and will switch to a learning disabilities class next year. he mainstreams out for several classes. his behavior at school countinues to be outstanding, teachers report him to be a pleasure to teach. the time has come for his adhd to be addressed more as a learning disabilty.

at home he runs full circle from great to horrid and the mouth never ever ever stops going. the worst is the tormenting and instigating of the younger siblings. all i can say is thank heaven for feingold diet, behavioral classes we both took at a local college and a good family psychologist who is there when we need him. I will not let adhd defeat any of us. i continually remind myself that i am blessed how far he/we have come and that compared to others, we really don't have it so bad at all.

time to step down from my soap box.....

Hi,

I live in Canada and I took Adderall XR before it was banned (I'm 21 y/o with no health problems... and on the College running team)... I got a call from the pharmacist the other night and she said to stop taking it immediately. She said that it had been banned in Canada. Luckily, I stopped taking it 2 days after I started because I started having bad reactions to it (my heart was going out of beat, I had chest pains, I couldn't sleep, I felt like a nervous reck, and felt like I was buzzed out of my mind). I trust "Health Canada" as they have a good history with throroughly looking into things before they make a decision. However, I am curious, and kind of skeptical as to why they banned Adderall, when it has basically the same chemical structure as Concerta, and all the other stimulant medications on the market. (The drug that's in Concerta and Ritalin has been studied for over 30 years and has shown to be safe). I think it should be an individual's choice, but I would suggest that anyone with any medical conditions NOT take Adderall XR. If any one is interested in reading the statement on Health Canada's site... here's the link: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/protection/warnings/2005/2005 _01.html

Here's a sample of the statement:

2005-01
February 9, 2005
For immediate release

Advisory Health Canada suspends the market authorization of ADDERALL XRŽ , a drug prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children

OTTAWA - Health Canada is informing Canadians that it has instructed Shire BioChem Inc., the manufacturer of ADDERALL XRŽ to withdraw the drug from the Canadian market. Health Canada has suspended the market authorization of the product due to safety information concerning the association of sudden deaths, heart-related deaths, and strokes in children and adults taking usual recommended doses of ADDERALLŽ and ADDERALL XRŽ. The immediate release form of ADDERALLŽ has never been marketed in Canada.

It is a little concerning that children experienced strokes on a recommended dose.

:RJC

"A preliminary review of safety data for the other stimulants authorized for use in the treatment of ADHD in Canada has been conducted. The incidence of serious adverse reactions leading to death was higher in ADDERALLŽ/ADDERALL XRTM than in the other stimulants, based upon these reviews. In addition, the safety information submitted to Health Canada also included 12 reported cases of stroke, with 2 occurring in children. ... None of the 20 deaths associated with Adderall occurred in Canada."

From Canada. 14 year old taken off. Dr. wasn't overly worried about the medication, but had to take him off it. We're trying long acting Dexedrine. I hope it works. Adderall worked quite well. Better than Concerta. Running out of options though if it doesn't work. Worried mom

People... 20 children are dead as a direct result of adderall adderallXR. The FDA has long been criticised for caving into pressure from the big pharmaceutical companies. Their lack of immediate action on the adderall ban is not suprising, and should be treated with suspicion. As reported in the New York Times "Senate Finance Committee Chair Chuck Grassley said that FDA officials had asked Canadian regulators to not suspend Adderall because the agency could not handle another "Drug safety crisis" He also stated in reports to staff that the FDA was not acting with scientific integrity."

These are our children and I think a little more caution is warranted. I don't know about every one else but our doctor did not even do baseline cardiac tests prior to subscribing Adderall. As a matter of fact our doctor did not even tell us of the recall in Canada, the pharmicist was the one that told us when we refilled our perscription. I for one am taking my daughter off the medication and waiting for further investigation. And I am having a full cardiac work up done on her to rule out any defect or weakness she migh have that has gone undetected before we start her back on any stimulant medication.

SOME MORE USEFUL FACTS:

Here's a direct quote from Health Canada's Site:

( http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/protection/warnings/2005/2005 _01.html)

"Health Canada's decision comes as a result of a thorough review of safety information provided by the manufacturer, which indicated there were 20 international reports of sudden death in patients taking either ADDERALLŽ (sold in the United States, not in Canada) or ADDERALL XRŽ (sold in Canada). These deaths were not associated with overdose, misuse or abuse. Fourteen deaths occurred in children, and six deaths in adults. There were 12 reports of stroke, two of which occurred in children. None of the reported deaths or strokes occurred in Canada.

A preliminary review of safety data for the other related stimulants authorized for use in the treatment of ADHD in Canada has been conducted. In that review, the incidence of serious adverse reactions leading to death was higher in ADDERALLŽ and ADDERALL XR combined than in the other drugs of this class.

Health Canada has asked manufacturers of other related stimulants approved for the treatment of ADHD to provide a thorough review of their worldwide safety data. Information updates will be provided by Health Canada as they become available."

Hope this helps!

:RJC

I think people need to think for themself's and research it.

I find Adderall has too much L-amphetamine and not enough d-amphetamine.

Personally I prefer Desoxyn. It is real smooth and has no crash for me at all. I seem to be happy with 3 per day, sometimes 4 but never more. Sometimes 2 are enough. I can even take one and go to sleep. The meth molocule works for me because it hangs in the brain longer, (which is the original purpose of meth; it was a military drug).

Desoxyn make me focused and calm because it is both CNS and a DSRI.

Be carefull! Some folks are just different. That is why I hate people and Dr's who generalize.

Were are all different as far as our own "resinence frequency" . I am not an expert on the subject, so please correct me if I am wrong, but scientifically we each possess our own unique pattern. Some people shouldn't dring coffee and drive. Others like me can eat meth before bedtime. Some prefer Adderall ,some prefer smoking marijuana. Some smoke marijuana some times, some hate it! There are different types of ADD ADHD. A whole spectrum.

Also, follow the proper directions! If you have five cups of coffee and then down your meds and freak out don't blame the meds!! Own things yourself people!!! There are dumbass governments like Canada who pass laws to protect you from yourself.

Any government who bans substances like that basically puts fuel on the fire for it's citizens go outside their borders and get it. why not fight fire with fire and decrimminilize drugs and make it a medical issue, not a crimminal one? Locking up non violent drug possesssion offenders for life? letting violent first time offenders go with a slap on the wrist?? Come on, get real. california is messed up to.

On a side note;
Parents, teen boot camps are cruel!! They are taking kids meds from them, forcing them to NOT eat and thrashing them with endless physical training like a prolonged Navy SEAL hell week. Can you say 8th ammendment violations?? Not good leadership training for our youth, hummiliation never builds leaders, it builds slaves...

To each his/her own. Live and let live!!!!
Talk to your kids and be real!!!

(I am a big kid who had to servive on his own and protect others like me from the cruelty society forces in our faces)

kaziklubey38398.9027083333

Very smart move. After all they ARE our children and it is our job to protect and help them. Even if the tests show nothing what have you got to lose? You may possibly have everything to gain :)

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I recently put my son on Magnesium adn calcium supplements and see an improvement already.

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Adderall is not the only stimmulant medication. Others work differently for other folks.

Also, does she drink coffee too? Suger?

also, acidic foods can reduce the efffectiveness of stimmulants. I clear my GI with calcium Carbonate before taking meds sometimes.

If there is bad diet and other factors please dont bash the drug. I am not saying this is the case, but it needs mention.

I am simply ammazed at how freaked out people get by the fact that speed helps about 6 to 7 percent of the general population. (Medical speed, not street trash)
kaziklubey38400.0909490741

Should I be confused. It was recommended that my son try adderall around Christmas time and he does have several pre-existing conditions. It was also suggested that if we do not have coverage that the drug maybe available free of charge for the trial period. We opted against it because of his other meds' and a possible reaction etc. Should his doctors not have been as concerned as we were or would they not have heard about a ban or possible ban, reactions etc around late Dec. early Jan? Perhaps I shouldn't be confused but angry. Looking for options.

What other meds?