ADHD drug linked to suicide attempts: Health Canada
07.07.2008 16:00
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
A drug commonly used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) disorder in children, teens and adults has been linked to numerous adverse reactions, including suicide attempts, Health Canada has warned. In its adverse reactions newsletter from July 2008, the health agency warns that Atomoxetine (Strattera), a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, had been linked to 189 reported adverse reactions as of Dec. 31, 2007. Fifty-five of those included suicide attempts, a designation that encompasses non-accidental overdoses, showing suicidal tendencies and experiencing thoughts of self-harm. Twenty-nine of the patients recovered, three had not by Dec. 31, 2007, and one patient died. Data was not available for the remaining 22 patients. Among the 55 suicide attempts reported in connection with the drug, 43 were among children between the ages of 6 and 17. Twelve were among adults ranging in age from 18 to 45. Links between the drug and suicidal behaviour were first reported in September 2005, and the warnings and precautions section of the drug's monograph was changed to reflect those concerns. Health Canada advises health-care professionals to warn patients who are on ADHD medications, as well as their families and other caregivers, to be on the lookout for changes in mood, behaviour and feelings. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksADHD drug makers in U.S. told to warn patients of heart, mental risksADHD drugs carry slight risk of psychiatric side-effectsExternal LinksAtomoxetine and suicidal behaviour: update (Health Canada Adverse Reaction Newsletter)(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window) Health HeadlinesDocs not keen on reducing asthma drugs in kids with well-controlled symptomsWhile pediatricians readily raise children's doses of asthma medications, they are more hesitant to reduce their medications, finds a new study.Work stress easing for federal employees, report saysJob-related stresses in federal workplaces are in decline, a new report suggests, raising doubts about the so-called toxic work environment in the public sector.Baby's smile activates reward centres in mom's brain, MRI showsParents might say a baby lights up their life, but a new study shows that an image of a smiling baby also "lights up" the reward centres of the mother's brain.Salmonella probe turns to peppers, cilantroU.S. health officials investigating a salmonella outbreak first thought to be linked with raw tomatoes are now examining cilantro and serrano and jalapeno peppers as possible causes.Zeroing in on brain chemical's link to SIDS: scientistsAn imbalance in a brain chemical linked to depression may also have something to do with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), say Italian scientists who have uncovered new evidence that may pinpoint how it happens. Health FeaturesIN DEPTHRed, red wineHealth pros and consIN DEPTHDrug-resistant TBAnatomy of a killer
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