Coach to Cite ADD Drug in Student Death
Coach Jason Stinson Is Charged in Collapse of Max Gilpin During Practice in Scorching Heat
(CBS) A source has told CBS News that the defense team for a former football coach charged in the death of one of his players is planning to claim the amphetamine medication Adderall, prescribed for the player's attention deficit disorder, could be to blame for his death.Coach to Cite ADD Drug in Student Death
Coach Jason Stinson Is Charged in Collapse of... more
In June, the federal Food and Drug Administration issued a statement linking drugs used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and sudden, fatal heart problems in children taking the medications.
The FDA stated that because the study is limited in scope, it doesn't justify a change in the agency's safety recommendations for doctors prescribing the stimulants to kids.
The study was of two groups of 564 children; one group was of otherwise healthy kids who died of sudden cardiac failure and the other was a group of children killed in motor vehicle accidents. Researchers examining the data gathered between 1985 and 1996 found that 10 children who died of sudden cardiac disturbances were taking stimulant medications prior to their deaths, whereas only two in the car accidents were taking the medications.
The FDA currently urges physicians to consider a child's personal and family history of cardiovascular disease before prescribing medications such as Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Methylin, Dexedrine, Dextrostat and Adderall. The doctors are urged to conduct a physical examination with a focus on the cardiovascular system and consider further tests, including a screening electrocardiogram and echocardiogram.
Over three million American children use ADHD drugs. Some estimates place usage of ADHD medications as high as 10 percent among 10-year-old American boys. Many critics believe the drugs are overprescribed; often for children for whom the associated risks outweigh the benefits.
The FDA is co-sponsoring a large study of the potential for danger in ADHD medications in partnership with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. It will evaluate the potential increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular disturbances associated with the use of stimulants in children.
Findings from this study are expected later this year.In June, the federal Food and Drug Administration issued a statement linking drugs... more
Harvard child psychiatrist Joseph Biederman has been advocating powerful medication for mental illnesses such as ADHD and bipolar disorder for decades. His methods are now coming under scrutiny.Harvard child psychiatrist Joseph Biederman has been advocating powerful medication... more
Four people openly discuss their ranging experiences with Adderall. Is it really a drug that makes you smarter?Four people openly discuss their ranging experiences with Adderall. Is it really a... more
It's final exams week and college students are desperate to cram. They turn to their friends who have access to prescription drugs, like Adderall for attention deficit disorder. Drugs like these are being increasingly used as study drugs at colleges everywhere. At UCLA, it seems like almost everyone has tried it or heard about it. Some students casually distribute their pills to friends. In this pod, students share their experiences and a UCLA psychiatrist tells us why the overuse of these drugs is a problem, whether or not they are prescribed by a medical doctor. It's final exams week and college students are desperate to cram. They turn to their... more
Students today are taking extreme risks to get good grades. Adderall, a drug prescribed for Attention Deficit Disorder, is one of the most popular study drugs on college campuses. Here's a closer look at this growing trend.Students today are taking extreme risks to get good grades. Adderall, a drug... more
In Development: Generation RxI'm currently working on a pod about Adderall use on college campuses. Over the last 10 years, Adderall has become the most commonly abused prescription drug among college students. It's usually obtained to use as a study aid. I want to tell this story from the users' point of view, those who occasionally pop pills to cram for finals, lose weight, as well as from those who snort it to party or pimp out their own prescriptions.Assignment:I'm looking for people willing to talk about their Adderall use on camera. You can remain anonymous. (We don?t want to get anyone in trouble here). I'm also looking for "dealers," students who sometimes sell their own prescriptions to supply pills to others. If you're interested in this story and think you can help, please send an email to me at Christof@current.tv. Everything will be kept strictly confidential! This is an important story and you can help tell it!In Development: Generation RxI'm currently working on a pod about Adderall use on... more
