Results mirror findings in boys, potential protective effect needs further investigation.

October 06, 2008: Massachusetts General Hospital Press Release

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers have found that treatment with stimulant drugs does not increase and appears to significantly decrease the risk that girls with ADHD will begin smoking cigarettes or using alcohol or drugs. Their report in the October Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine parallels the findings of several earlier studies in boys, which needed to be confirmed in girls. Read more of the article...

This interview appeared in the Multinational Monitor about a month ago, and I thought it was one of the most interesting interviews I had ever read. It is an interview with journalist Melody Petersen of the New York Times, who has just written a book about pharmaceutical companies. It is an interesting read, and is reprinted here with the permission of the editor. --DC Read more of the article...

Hayes Evaluates Test and Treatment Options For Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Press Release: 19 August 2008
More clinical research needed to recommend most ADHD treatments Stimulant drugs and atomoxetine show promise in relieving symptoms in children

Hayes Inc., an industry leader in providing independent, unbiased analyses of healthcare technologies, today announced that it has completed an exhaustive study of a wide range of medications to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study was undertaken in response to significant customer interest in gaining a better understanding of those treatments that really work to relieve symptoms in ADHD sufferers. Read more of the article...

The FDA was busy last week as it approved two drugs for use in adult disorders, including an ADHD medication. The FDA approved the drug Concerta for use in adult ADHD, and approved the first generic versions of Risperdal (risperidone) tablets to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychiatric conditions. Here we will focus on the approval of Concerta for adults with ADHD.

Concerta is a CNS stimulant medication is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children 6 years of age and older, adolescents, and now adults up to the age of 65. It is thought that stimulants work by helping to increase dopamine and norepinephrine, and perhaps blood flow, in the brain. Read more of the article...

Barron’s Magazine, is a financial weekly published by Dow Jones that keeps a very close eye on the world’s financial news and the corporations that are making news. Recently they ran a short series of articles on Shire Pharmaceuticals and the potential problems ahead for the company.

The reason that these articles are of interest to parents of children with ADHD, is that Shire makes Adderall, Adderall XR, and Vyvanse, all major medications used for ADHD treatment. The problems for Shire may be blessings for parents, so here are some of the details: Read more of the article...

ADHD Stimulant Medication and ER Visits for Heart Problems in Children

Are the risks of heart problems greater in children who are prescribed stimulant medications for ADHD than for children who are not taking such medications? The University of Florida researched this question and published their results in the journal Pediatrics in December, 2007.

What they found was that the use of stimulant medication for ADHD in children and teenagers may be the cause for an increased number of emergency room visits, or visits to the doctor’s office, because of cardiac symptoms such as a racing heart or increased blood pressure. But the study also found that deaths, or serious heart complications, are rare. Read more of the article...