Strattera - Side Effects
A drug used to treat children for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, has had some serious psychiatric side-effects, a study shows.
The federal government's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has been assessing the drug Strattera, which will be available widely under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Fairfax reports.
Strattera was the probable cause of one child's explosive mood swings and erratic behaviour, including an attempt to open the door of a moving car, according to the TGA.
It also implicated the drug in aggressive outbursts by a 12-year-old, in which she ripped out her fingernails.
The TGA has identified 23 cases of probable or possible side-effects from Strattera.
They include suicidal thoughts, agitation, and serious physical problems such as growth retardation, weight loss, chest pains and swollen testicles.
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ADHD drugs may have 'addictive and emotional' side effects Stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall increase the flow of neurotransmitters in the cerebral cortex, which controls working memory. That added stimulation ends up helping people with ADHD focus and concentrate. It ends up settling them down. .... side effects can include insomnia, anxiety, irritability and nervousness, high blood pressure and heart beat, and lack of appetite -- hence their use as weight loss drugs. |
