Some children experience hallucinations taking ADHD Drugs...

[cynatnite]

Jan. 26, 2009 -- Treatment-related hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be more common than previously thought, FDA officials report in the latest issue of the journal Pediatrics.

In an earlier investigation, FDA researchers identified more than 850 separate incidences of hallucinations and other psychotic episodes among children taking stimulants used to treat ADHD.

snip:
Nearly half of the cases of hallucination and other psychiatric side effects reviewed by FDA researchers involved children younger than age 11.

snip:
An analysis of 49 randomized clinical trials found that for every 100 children who take ADHD drugs for a year, between one and two experience a drug-related psychotic event.

But in the Pediatrics report, the FDA researchers conclude that this estimate is probably low, in part because the clinical trials often excluded children with a history of adverse reactions to ADHD drugs.

http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/news/20090126/adhd-drugs-hallucinations-not-uncommon

This is very shocking information. There is more information at the above link.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

1. ADD drugs never gave me hallucinations

I feel totally cheated.

[derby378]

2. Never had any hallucinogenic side-effects from Ritalin

My system apparently tolerates it quite nicely. Some patients lose a little weight on it because it can supress appetite, but I've never had that issue.

[Mass]

3. I never heard of psychotic symptoms. This said, these medecines should be taken with care.

When my son started, the doctor told us to start in a week-end in order to monitor any adverse effect. It should also never been taken before an EKG has been administered.

This is not shocking in itself. People need to be responsible.

[merwin]

4. 850 out of how many millions of people?

that's a low enough percentage, and not harmful (probably fun for the kid), so I don't see the problem.

Any medication is going to cause issues in some people taking it.

[chollybocker]

5. How did mankind ever survive before these drugs were produced?

[boppers]

6. Speed does this. Common knowledge, I thought.

Happens with caffeine, too.

That's what drugs *do*, they mess with your reality. That's kind of the point.