ADHD Drugs Send More Kids to ER
Kids treated with the popular ADHD drugs Ritalin and Adderol are 20 percent more likely to end up in the ER or a doctor's office with a racing heartbeat or other heart-related symptoms than other kids.
At the same time, deaths or serious heart problems from the drugs are rare.
Still, researchers said, more studies need to be done on the side effects of the drugs, since so many kids are on them. The drugs act like speed, raising blood pressure and heart rate.
3 or 4 million kids take drugs to control ADHD. Critics contend they've become the new prescription designer drugs and are way overprescribed. They say doctors are too quick to write the 'scripts, after a few moments' observation of "boisterousness." Fans, however, say the drugs are effective, with very few serious side effects.
Having taken Adderol once (strictly for research purposes--see how dedicated I am to my readers?) I can see how it helps one's focus on the task at hand, whether it's homework or a Power Point presentation or cleaning the house. I can also see how it causes kids to end up in the ER. It's like drinking ten cups of coffee without the jitters or sour stomach. Wheeeeee!
ADHD drugs may boost ER visits [MSNBC]
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