A new report from Australia is raising alarms about potentially dangerous side effects of drugs used to treat ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). The report states that 30 children have had suicidal thoughts (some attempting suicide), while taking drugs for ADHD.
This caused the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia to upgrade the guidelines for prescribing ADHD drugs, such as Ritalin. A 7-year-old boy taking Ritalin attempted suicide, and an 8-year-old had hallucinations that spiders were crawling all over him, reports " The Sydney Morning Herald." The same "Herald" article reported that serious reactions from ADHD drugs had doubled within three years in Australia.
ADHD drugs are closely regulated in the United States, but are widely prescribed for kids. Ritalin, Adderall and other drugs used to treat ADHD are stimulants, which are thought to reduce hyperactivity and help children focus.
However, they come with risks - this is where the controversy ensues. Known side effects for kids include decreased appetite, problems falling asleep, tics and dampened emotional reactions (often called a "flat" feeling). Since these drugs are stimulants, there are also cardiovascular risks. For some kids, many pediatricians recommend that you have an EKG for your child before he or she takes one of these drugs.
Even though the suicide risk from any ADHD drug is rare, if a drug changes your child’s personality in any way, you stop it.
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