Reportedly, because of the rise in the diagnosis of ADHD in children, ADHD medications have become very common. In fact, U.S. government data noted that one in ten U.S. children were diagnosed with ADHD as of 2010, a twenty two percent increase from the number of diagnosed incidents of children with ADHD in 2003. Despite the commonality of ADHD medications, these drugs are not without their dangers and can cause serious personal injury.
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can cause difficulty focusing and many children with ADHD struggle to be patient and do well in school. Symptoms of ADHD are excessive talking, difficulty paying attention, difficulty staying still, difficulty following directions or completing tasks, becoming easily distracted, etc. The cause of ADHD is unknown and it is frequently treated with Adderall or Ritalin.
According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration data, ADHD medication can cause significant damage. Reportedly, these medications were responsible for almost 23,000 ER visits in 2011, a significant increase from only 5,605 emergency room visits in 2005.
Both Adderall and Ritalin are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and are used to treat narcolepsy, in addition to ADHD. Side effects of Adderall include: bladder pain, bloody urine, painful or difficult urination, irregular heartbeat, fever, diarrhea, convulsions, difficulty breathing or speaking, dizziness, double vision, hallucinations, inability to move legs, arms, or facial muscles, joint pain, muscle pain, rash, skin lesions, sores, sudden loss of consciousness, ulcers, and inability to speak.
Side effects of Ritalin include: extreme fear, motor tics, hallucinations, sudden weakness or numbness, vision problems, balance problems, easy bruising, fever, blistering, rash, high blood pressure, loss of appetite, dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting, scaling, swelling, unusual bleeding, sores, and ulcers.
In some cases, ADHD medication can cause heart attack, stroke, brain damage, personality changes, cancer, liver damage, hallucinations, and suicidal impulses.
If you or a loved one suffered significant side effects from taking ADHD medication prescribed by a doctor, you may have a valid personal injury or drug safety lawsuit claim.
