The Truth About Adhd Prescription Drugs

December 23, 2008 · Filed Under Mental Health 

Let’s look at some of the long acting ADHD prescription drugs. First you should know that most of these drugs, including the non-stimulant medications have side effects that may have serious consequences now and in the future for your child. I would like to start with Ritalin and Addreal. These are considered the long-acting stimulants because they can last 8-12 hours and are convenient because they can be taken just once a day.

The thing that scares me are Ritalin’s warnings that this drug should not be given to children under 6 years of age and efficacy long term use of Ritalin in children are not yet available. But they have found that long-term used of stimulants in children have been suppression of growth, as in weight gain and or height. The common adverse reactions in children are loss of appetite, abdominal pain, insomnia and rare reports of Tourettes Syndrome.

Now with Adderall it is commonly used to treat ADHD symptoms and is also sold under another name of Obetrol. Adderall is an amphetamine that stimulates the central nervous system. Most common side effects are stomach pain, nausea, dizziness, addiction and restlessness. The restlessness as a symptom somehow confused me, you? Isn’t that what you want subsided? That side effect would be very frustrating I would think. Treating restlessness with restlessness. However, the most serious side effects of this ADHD prescription drug are hallucinations, increased heart rate, and then again, Tourettes Syndrome.

A short-term prescription medication for ADHD is Dexedrine that has to be taken more than once a day. But look at these side effects. Irregular heartbeat, chest pain, increased blood pressure, skin rash, uncontrolled movements of arms and legs, unusual weakness, insomnia, drowsiness, restlessness, blurred vision, loss of appetite, stomach cramps and pain, nausea and vomiting. Serious of all is that they all can promote personality changes and schizophrenia-like thoughts and behaviors.

Then there is non-stimulant prescription medication for ADHD that are not used as much as the stimulant drugs. Children that cannot take the stimulants because they just don’t work for them use Strattera. But the side effects are the same.

Alternative ADHD treatments are gaining more popularity because they don’t have all these side effects that prescription medications for ADHD have. I know I wouldn’t want to risk my child’s life now or in the future with all those side effects. The harmful short-term and long-term side effects of ADHD prescription drugs are more reason to seek out alternative treatments like homeopathy and natural remedies or ADHD treatment. It’s worth the time to find out more, if you will.

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