Lilly to add suicide warning to drug Strattera (ADD/ADHD drug)

[UpInArms]

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7BEED43B17%2D7B0C%2D432D%2DB987%2D72F0561D3AE5%7D&siteid=mktw

BOSTON (MarketWatch)-Eli Lilly said early Thursday that at the request of the Food and Drug Administration, it is adding a warning to the label of its attention-deficit drug Stattera advising it may trigger suicidal thoughts in some children and adolescents.

Lilly (LLY: news, chart, profile) said it was adding the warning after an analysis requested by the Food and Drug Administration of previous clinical data showed 0.4% of the children who took the drug experienced suicidal thoughts. The analysis also showed that no such thinking was reported amongst children who took a placebo.

Strattera, also called atomoxetine HCl, is used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, in children, teenagers, and adults.

Meanwhile, the FDA has issued a public health advisory advising medical professionals and caregivers to closely monitor minors being treated with Strattera for unusual behavioral changes. The agency said that it was particularly important to monitor children during the first few months they are taking the drug or when the dosage is changed.

...more...

[OldLeftieLawyer]

1. I wonder when it will stop

The drugging of America's kids.

What a shame that teachers and parents have been so brainwashed, are so uninformed, so easily led, and so cavalier about what they're putting in their kids' young, perfect bodies that the children are the ones paying for their ineptitude.

Kids being drugged because the adults can't be adults.

[Mizmoon]

2. Amen

I'm amazed to see a fellow DUer with an opinion similar to my own. I'm usually the lone holdout.

:hi:

[OldLeftieLawyer]

3. Really?

How unfortunate. When did all this brainwashing take place, do you know?

:)

[Seedersandleechers]

5. Agree. Strattera does not have amphetamine properties like adderal

Dexedrine, Ritalin

[Spangle]

8. When people learn the difference from ADHD and NORMAL

ADHD runs in our family. Luckly, not everyone has it. LOL!

But, being a Parent with ADHD children, I'm amazed at how little the school system knows/understands about ADHD. KEEP IN MIND, school systems "spots" the "problem" kids and expect the parents to take them to the doctor and get "fixed."

Another words, just medicate the kid so that he or she will behave.

The only kids they "spot" are the hyper kids. And it's the hyper they want fixed. If the child has just ADD, they are ignored. Because they don't have a problem out of these kids.

However, while helping the Hyper part, the true help for the CHILD is helping with the AD part of the problem. That is were you start seeing the grades improve, etc. Something one would think SCHOOLS would be the most intrested in and STUDY.

Not to be bamming just on schools. It's society as a whole. The focus to medicate because kids are HYPER or misbehave is why alot of myths are around about ADD and ADHD.

When people finaly start to understand exactly what ADD and ADHD is, they they will stop assuming that all kids who are hyper need to be on meds.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

12. Exactly

People don't have a clue, so I guess it's up to people like you to educate them. Everyone - in our "Just Say No" society - wants kids to take drugs so they don't bother them.

That's a large part of what it boils down to, as you obviously know.

It's all about not having to deal with the kids.

Then they wonder why drug use among youngsters keeps on keeping on. The kids are picking up that part of their education, for sure.

Good luck to you ................

[BlueIris]

35. Excellent point about the difference between ADD and ADHD.

The failure to understand this--even on the part of some irresponsible, inattentive providers--is getting a lot of kids put on the wrong meds.

[StuckinKS]

11. Excuse me,

May I say, as a parent of a child on Strattera, that you are full of... well let's just say hyperbole.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

13. No,

you may not, and good luck with your son or daughter. I do hope you heed this latest suicide warning. That's frightening.

I trust you'll be a good parent, and make sure your chld no longer takes such a potentially deadly drug. To do otherwise borders on child abuse.

[StuckinKS]

14. I trust you'll mind your own business

and not try to stereotype and denigrate all parents who find it necessary to use medicine to treat their children.

My child is one of three special needs children I adopted through foster care. His problems are myriad and Strattera has been a blessing. You are not raising him and know nothing of his needs or my abilities as a parent. You are merely lashing out through your misguided zealotry.

And your child abuse comment is an ad hominem attack that, frankly, stinks to high heaven.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

17. Your kids, my kids,

we all have kids, and we're all wonderful people because we have kids, no matter how we got them.

It's child abuse - that's my opinion - to allow any child to continue to take a drug that has such deadly risks.

My child abuse comment is my opinion, and if you're taking it personally, that's your thing.

[StuckinKS]

20. We're not ALL wonderful

You, for example, seem downright nasty.

I am a "wonderful person" in part because of how I got my children. I fostered fifteen children and adopted three of these. I took classes, went to seminars, joined support groups, all so that I would be prepared to parent children damaged by their birth family's negligence, abuse, heredity and pre-natal drug use. I was taught about ADD/ADHD from all perspectives. Believe me, I tried a lot of different things before trying Strattera (and ADHD is only ONE of his issues) and specifically chose it because it was not one of the stimulant drugs.

You have decided to use a broad brush to defame parents who have chosen a different path than you would choose for them.

I will not yank my son off of his medication based on one article and your bullying on DU. I will consult my son's doctors and I will monitor him closely. Luckily, my son has been on a consistent dosage since earlier this year.

After this exchange, I certainly have my own "opinions" of you. However, I am choosing to abide by forum rules and will not offer them in detail.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

21. Good, good

It's good that you're going to see his doctor as soon as possible. That's part of being a responsible parents. Keep in mind that physicians are owned by pharmaceutical companies.

How you got your kids, or where they're from, isn't at all germane to what was simply my opinion about these drugs and how they're used. If you want to take my opinion - one person's opinion - personally, I'd say there are some special needs at work in your life, but they're not necessarily the kids'.

Best of luck to you and your children.

[StuckinKS]

23. Let's see

Your method is to attack someone (child abuse accusation) and when you are called on it to say "don't take it personally, it's just an opinion" and repeat the insult. Next you follow it up with another insult (now I'M special needs) and an insincere "Best of luck."

I did take your "opinions" personally since they were offered that way but they didn't ruin my day. If you want to insult people, at least be honest about it.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

26. Hold it

I voiced my opinion.

That is hardly an attack.

Take whatever you want personally, but be accurate when characterizing a post. My opinions are mine, and if you want to get all defensive and tell your life story here - apropos of nothing in my post - feel free.

But don't go putting your version of reality on my own truth. It's my opinion. Take it or leave it.

[StuckinKS]

27. Some of your handiwork

"so brainwashed, are so uninformed, so easily led, and so cavalier"

"adults can't be adults."

"To do otherwise borders on child abuse."

"personally, I'd say there are some special needs at work in your life"

Those are all attacks on people who use medication on their children. I use medication on my children. Ergo, I take these personally.

If I said, "Anyone who thinks that there is a conspiracy between doctors and BigPharm to medicate children is a drooling oaf," you could take that personally. And I wouldn't hide behind calling it just an opinion.

I told my "life story" so that you might see that many children have beginnings which might later lead to conditions which really do require medication. How this revelation pissed you off, I have no idea. No surprise there, since you have made it clear that no matter what the child's background, if they are medicated, their parents are engaging in child abuse.

I am not saying that I do not recognize your right to your opinions. I am saying that they do not need to be put forth in a nasty and demeaning way.

The bottom line is that MY OPINION is that many situations exist which require a child to be medicated, that it is unfortunate that some cast aspersions on the parenting abilities of those who do medicate and I
that anyone who is concerned by the article about Strattera should contact their doctor for advice and not get it from OldLeftieLawyer.

You said "take it or leave it." With that, I leave it.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

28. No, you took it

And, judging from all those words, you took it very seriously. You also took it as an opportunity to vent about things that really, I have no idea what you're going on about.

My opinion. If it makes you feel better to attack me because I don't believe the same things you do, go right ahead. It's only a message board, something for exchanging views and information.

In your case, as demonstrated here, there is no such thing as "exchange," and people who don't see the issue exactly as you do are to be excoriated.

My opinion. You took it, and you obviously choked on it. Pity.

See the child's doctor. Get help.

[lumberjack_jeff]

33. My autistic child is on Strattera

... and although the article concerns me greatly, ignorant and reckless blanket condemnations of treating what are very real, and very debilitating afflictions do people a huge disservice.

Strattera appears to have a significant benefit on my sons' ability to function normally. He now rarely hits himself or others (like teachers), less often walks in circles in the middle of classroom time and less often engages in loud verbal outbursts. He is able to eat lunch in the loud cafeteria environment, he is now frequently able to spend several hours each day in a classrom of his peers. He occasionally even participate in appropriate play with other children.

He is in first grade. His treatment program was developed in collaboration with the University of Washington neurodevelopmental clinic.

As noted in another post, the alternative medications are all essentially amphetamines. Autistic children have a huge problem with nutrition generally. An autistic child on speed may be able to engage the world, but will not thrive.

Without belaboring the point, I dislike being lectured on my motivations for seeking treatment for my child. Every parent weighs the costs of doing nothing vs. the risks of treatment. It's easy to view treatment as frivolous when one assumes that every child is able to function in society in a healthy, or even marginal, way.

It ain't so.

[shrike]

4. Strattera did nothing for me

But Concerta has changed my life.

ADHD (adult and childhood) is a real condition, and while it may be overdiagnosed, there's no denying that certain drugs can help.

My niece started out on Strattera and had other nasty side effects: sour stomach, bleeding gums. She is doing extremely well on Concerta. Her grades have gone from Fs to As and Bs, and she has a circle of friends for the first time in her life.

[Mizmoon]

6. I'm glad it helped you

Just to clarify, I have no objections to medication. I think people who are having issues should give them a try - they very well might help as they did for you.

I abhor forcing people to take them. It makes my skin crawl it's so un-American.

[shrike]

7. We're in complete agreement there

Drugs are not for everyone and NO ONE, repeat, NO ONE should be forced to take them -- though I sometimes wonder in certain cases, if the individual is a danger to the public without his/her meds, medication should then be required.

Children who may have ADHD should be given a full battery of tests -- my niece was. Doctors are learning more about this condition every day, and the diagnosis shouldn't be rushed. Drugs are serious business -- I personally think they should be a last resort. And I take two medications daily: Prozac and Concerta.

[BlueIris]

36. Me either. nt

[fshrink]

9. Strattera is

an atypical drug for the treatment of ADHD, usually treated with stimulants. It is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and is thus linked to a major system involved in depression. When you act on such a system, like the serotonine system, you increase the likelihood of suicidal impulses, which motivated the black box on SSRIs. By the way, no one understands exactly why an NRI would be effective to reduce ADHD symptoms. The "understanding", as usual, is statistical (i.e. treatment group significantly better on the measure than control group).

[MADem]

10. Oh fa chrissake, so now users of the medication can focus on

killing themselves.

Too many pills, when going outside and playing until you are tired would probably do the trick at least half the time....

[StuckinKS]

16. Gosh *slaps hand to forehead*

Why didn't I think of that? I spent tons of time and money on doctors, tests, specialists, etc. so that I could take the "easy" way out and just pop my son a pill. Now you are telling me all I had to do was open the back door?

[MADem]

19. CUT THAT OUT

Read what I wrote, I said HALF, not all. It is well known that there are plenty of kids who are medicated unnecessarily, but I did not suggest that ALL OF THEM WERE. READ, COMPREHEND.

Focus on what I wrote.

[StuckinKS]

22. Forgive me

OldLeftieLawyer has me fired up.

From my previous posts, you can see that this is a personal issue for me. Not because I am some staunch proponent of medicating children, but because there are people on this thread who wish to stigmatize me (and many more like me) for merely doing what I feel is best for my child. In fact, I have now been called a child abuser.

Perhaps it is because I so fervently wish that I could merely send my son out back to play to solve his issues that I came back with my flippant reply

Mea culpa.

[MADem]

24. No worries, we are on the same page

It is unfortunate that so many people who are professionals are all too willing to medicate kids who do not need it, and as a result, those that actually DO need it are lumped in with the ones who don't. It dilutes the whole usefulness of the exercise, and makes it seem as though the issue of ADD/ADHD is not such a big deal, when for those who suffer, it clearly is more than just being a little scatterbrained, bratty or revved up.

I know that the appropriate drugs in the right situations can work wonders, and that is great for both the kid, who can be normal, and the parents, who can have a regular family life without all the drama and uncertainty. But all too often you see cases where the prescribing is done in cavalier fashion, and that helps no one.

I have a nephew who benefitted greatly from ADHD medication. When his younger sibling started acting up, the school was a little too quick to try to ascribe the same diagnosis, and it did not turn out to be the case at all, but there was a bit of drama involved before all was sorted out--sometimes a kid can just be a little shit, it happens!

ON EDIT--you know, my initial gripe, which I did not articulate very well, had as much to do with the lack of testing and warning labels as it did overmedication of kids without accurate diagnoses. They do rush drugs to market without full testing, it seems. It would be one thing if they made them available for people if they seemed to show benefit, but held off on all the TV advertising that always seems to suggest that life will be WONDERFUL with this or that pill. We've seen this happen over and over--new drug, glitzy ads, and then, oooops, by the way, it can kill ya...

But I guess there is money to be made...

[StuckinKS]

25. You're right, it does happen

My middle son exhibits some of the same signs and symptoms, but he just falls into the "little shit" category.

[lizziegrace]

15. On Strattera

I have wrestled with racing thoughts and depression since college. Nearly flunked out of college and spent the next 20 years on and off anti-depressants and even some bi-polar meds because nothing would shut my brain off. It was like a constant pinball game was going day and night.

At 44, I finally was diagnosed with ADD (not ADHD). Strattera has saved my life. No more unfinished projects, no more struggling to understand instructions and work-related tasks. I'm not stupid, made straight A's all through school until college.

I now realize that I'm not a failure after years of kicking myself over and over for what I assumed was laziness and not concentrating hard enough.

Say what you will about meds and ADD and ADHD. I'm proof that sometimes they're so very necessary...

[derby378]

18. Thanks for your story

It's important for people to realize that ADHD is a geniune neurological syndrome complete with what now appears to be a genetic component. Counseling and constructive playtime can be important, sure, but without the proper medication, an ADHD kid or adult may still be in a fog.

[Mountainman]

29. Your story sounds a lot like mine. I could not take Strattera though

Welbutrin is my med. I've been called a failure so many times it doesn't mean anything to me anymore. I have a very important position now. I make more money than I ever have. Nothing good would have happened to me without the meds. I am sure of it. There are times when I try to get along without them but it just doesn't work.

I read so many posts here on DU talking about how we are drugging our kids because we are a lazy society or something and I just say to myself, maybe sometimes that's the truth but overall it us just a stupid misinformed opinion.

[lizziegrace]

30. Glad you found something that works

Wellbutrin put me in a constant state of rage. Totally unlike me.

REALLY!

[shrike]

38. Thanks for sharing your experience

Too many people don't realize that ADD/ADHD can linger through adulthood. It is considerably liberating, isn't it, to realize that you did the best you could under the circumstances, considering the tools you had to work with. At least it has been for me.

I was diagnosed at 45, (see my above post) after my sis noticed my ADHD niece shared some of my lifelong characteristics. I started on Strattera, took it for about a month, but felt no effect. The doctor switched me to Concerta. I've been on it for about four months now, and I love it. A rather odd side effect: I've been a lifelong (severe) nail-biter and stutterer. Concerta virtually eliminates my stutter (I mess up occasionally when I'm tired, but no more than anyone else does) and removes the urge to bite my nails. Go figure.

I envy you being able to take Strattera. If it had worked for me, my doctor would be able to fill it for me over the phone. Concerta, like all stimulants, is a controlled substance and I must pick up a scrip monthly and present identification when I get it filled. Luckily I've been going to the same pharmacy for years; they all know me, and the process is very smooth.

[minkyboodle]

31. here is my strattera warning

if you are a guy forget about having an orgasm...... ever!!!! sorry I was on that shit for a month or two not worth it for me (I was augmenting anti-depres meds with it). I mean NEVER!!!

[Jackpine Radical]

32. I have some really strange frontal EEG data on a patient on Strattera.

Don't kinow what it means yet, but there was a helluva lot of beta wave activity at a left frontal site. Very asymmetrical bilaterally. I ran her again the next week while off the meds & her pattern was much more normal.

[Kailassa]

34. I don't trust any drug company,

I don't trust many doctors, and I am strongly against taking drugs ... as a rule. But I take 2 medications daily, in full knowlege that they both have risks, because the risks from taking them are less than the risks from not taking them. And I'm sure other people using drugs in this threat have also carefully weighed the risks of taking against the risks of not taking.

Now if my child needs an operation, should I refuse it because a general anaesthetic entails risks? Life itself is a risk, we estimate the chances and make the best gamble we can.

People making others feel bad about using drugs can be responsible for more deaths than the drugs they persuade others to not use.

[Giant Robot]

37. I think its wonderful that we all want to be informed about what we

may put in our bodies, and also take into account the source (BigPharm) of that information. I enjoy that kind of mindfulness. But I would caution anyone from making broad strokes about medicating children or adults for that matter. Strattera, as well as meds for depression, have been shown to increase the risk for suicidal thought and action for SOME individuals. It is a horrible thing to think of, because the word suicide evokes such powerful reactions from us. The reality is that no matter what, whatever medication we put in our bodies will have some effects, intended and not, good or bad. This would be almost the same as me saying, because most antibiotics make me ill, they should all be banned. Not so because they do wonders for so many. And currently I am on a quest to find an allergy med that works for me and which I can tolerate the side effects. The psychotropics can do wonders for so many, when prescribed properly, and monitored with the physician and a counselor of some type. No they will not work for everyone. Yes more likely than not they are over prescribed. But they can help many, and I encourage us all to keep an open mind about that. There. Rant over.

[Mountainman]

39. Another opinion from me. Many people will not seek the professional help

they could get because of messages they get from others telling them that taking drugs or seeking treatment for depression or ADD is negative or a sign of weakness. Many of us have mental problems that others see as character defects and try as we may we cannot correct them. This leads to a life of despair and self loathing. I know because that was me. I finally got the nerve to tell people to fuck off and sought treatment.

[Ilsa]

40. Strattera may have saved our family.

My son is autistic. He couldn't take any paradoxical ADHD meds like Adderall or Ritalin; he would be okay for about and hour, then he would become extra hyper, stop eating and stay up half the night, and that was as a five year old. He couldn't focus long enough on his body to know it was time to poop. He ate alot, and I was cleaning out his britches usually twice a day, but three times a day wasn't unusual. My husband and I were starting to fight over who had to deal with this. (And disposable underwear had been deemed out of the question since my child liked the feel of cotton and was sensitive in a sensory way.)

Whe we started him on Strattera, within five days I wasn't having to do this any mroe. He could sit down and look at his books. He wasn't climbing all over the furniture anymore like a chimp. My mood was elevated immensely.

And for those who say, "Well, your situation is different," I say, you don't need to be judging people whose lives have been improved by a med. Yes, there are risks. There are risks to him not learning anything either, which was the case pre-Strattera. Yeah, I wish we didn't have to spend all this money on drugs, but mother nature hasn't left us with any other choices right now, and we have tried diet therapies, bioneurofeedback, and other things I can't remember right now.

Peace,
Ilsa