ritalin
Republican Dan Burton (Ind) Blasts
CHADD -- A Leading Public Support Group for ADD
There has been sugnificant evidence about the relationship between CHADD and
pharmaceutical companies (Ciba-Geigy, the makers of Ritalin. This was originall
broought to light in a documentary: ADD: A Dubious Diagnosis. The Merrow Report.
The following article reviews how one member of congress is exposing this conflict
of interest to Congress. Read
the complete article now .
Ritalin: This Children's Drug Is
More Potent Than Cocaine
The children's drug Ritalin
has a more potent effect on the brain than cocaine, a study
has found. Using brain imaging, scientists have found that,
in pill form, Ritalin - taken by thousands of British children
and four million in the United States - occupies more of the
neural transporters responsible for the "high" experienced
by addicts than smoked or injected cocaine. The research may
alarm parents whose children have been prescribed Ritalin as
a solution to Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder...
Read
about this
Ritalin Treatment During Pre- and Periadolescence
Affects Responses to Emotional Stimuli at Adulthood
Methylphenidate
(MPH) is a psychomotor stimulant medication widely used for
the treatment of attention -deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD). Given the extent of prescribed use of MPH, and because
MPH interacts with the same brain pathways activated by drugs
of abuse, most research has focused on assessing MPH's potential
to alter an individual's risk for adult drug addiction.
Chronic
exposure to MPH during development leads to decreased sensitivity
to rewarding stimuli while resulting in enhanced responsivity
to aversive situations. These results highlight the need for
further research to better understand the effects of stimulants
on the developing nervous system, and the potential enduring
effects resulting from early-life drug exposure.
Biological
Psychiatry
Preteen Ritalin May Increase Depression
Ritalin use in preteen
children may lead to depression later in life, studies of rats
suggest. It's an open question whether what passes for depression
in lab rats has anything to do with depression in humans. But
early use of Ritalin and other stimulant drugs seems to permanently
alter animals' brains. That raises concerns that the same
thing might be happening in children who take these drugs
for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The findings
come from a research team led by William A. Carlezon Jr., PhD,
director of the behavioral genetics laboratory at McLean Hospital
and associate professor at Harvard Medical School. The study
appears in the Dec. 15 issue of Biological Psychiatry.
"Rats exposed to Ritalin as juveniles showed
large increases in learned-helplessness behavior during adulthood,
suggesting a tendency toward depression," Carlezon says in
a news release. "These rats also showed abnormally high levels
of activity in familiar environments. [This] might reflect
basic alterations in the way rats pay attention to their
surroundings."
Ritalin, Cocaine, and the Brain
Ritalin and cocaine have different
effects on humans. But their effects on the brain are very
similar. When given to preteen rats, both drugs cause long-term
changes in behavior.
One of the changes seems good. Early exposure
to Ritalin makes rats less responsive to the rewarding effects
of cocaine. But that's not all good. It might mean that the
drug short-circuits the brain's reward system. That would
make it difficult to experience pleasure -- a "hallmark symptom
of depression," Carlezon and colleagues note.
The other change
seems all bad. Early exposure to Ritalin increases rats' depressive-like
responses in a stress test. "These experiments suggest that preadolescent
exposure to [Ritalin] in rats causes numerous complex behavioral
adaptations, each of which endures into adulthood," Carlezon
and colleagues conclude. "This work highlights the importance
of a more thorough understanding of the enduring neurobiological
effects of juvenile exposure to psychotropic drugs."
Ritalin
Alters Future Emotional Sensitivity
The rampant abuse of ritalin
for children is now a cause of concern for future behavioral
patterns in children. In a study titled, Methylphenidate Treatment
During Pre- and Periadolescence Alters Behavioral Responses
to Emotional Stimuli at Adulthood. MPH-treated animals were
significantly less responsive to natural rewards such as sucrose,
novelty-induced activity, and sex when compared to vehicle-treated
controls. On the other hand, MPH-treated animals were significantly
more sensitive to stressful situations, showed increased
anxiety-like behaviors and enhanced plasma levels of corticosterone.
Biological Psychiatry authors concluded: Chronic exposure to MPH during development
leads to decreased sensitivity to rewarding stimuli while resulting in enhanced
responsivity to aversive situations. These results highlight the need for further
research to better understand the effects of stimulants on the developing nervous
system, and the potential enduring effects resulting from early-life drug exposure.
Ritalin Facts:
Taken from "Talking Back to Ritalin" by Peter Breggin,
M.D.
"In 1990, 900,000 American kids were on Ritalin. Today some estimate the total
number of children on Ritalin has increased to 4 - 5 million or more per year."
The International Narcotics Control Board (1995) deplores that "10 to 12 percent
of all boys between the ages 6 and 14 in the United States have been diagnosed
as having ADD and are being treated with methylphenidate (Ritalin)."
"The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (1995a&b) has warned about a record
six fold increase in Ritalin production between 1990 & 1995."
"America now uses 90% of the world's Ritalin - more than five times the rest
of the world combined."
"Emergency room visits by children ages 10-14 involving Ritalin intoxication
have now reached the same level as those for cocaine which indicates escalating
abuse of this highly addictive drug."
"80% of children on Ritalin are boys."
Peter R. Breggin, M.D., author of "Talking Back to Prozac", co-author of "The
War Against Children of Color" has published "Talking Back to Ritalin: What
doctors aren't telling you about stimulants for children". Every parent who
has a child who has been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD should read this book before
being pressured into drugging their children by teachers, family members or
physicians.
Some Kids Share Ritalin With Classmates
Ritalin abuse is on the rise, with many youngsters selling or giving away
their prescribed medication to classmates, according to a 1998 survey of 13,549
students in grades 7, 9, 10 and 12 in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island,
Newfoundland and Labrador. The students were asked about their medical and
non-medical use of stimulants including Ritalin, Benzedrine, Dexedrine, Cylert,
diet pills, "speed," "uppers," "bennies" and "pep pills."
Results showed that "Of the 5.3% of students who reported medical use
of stimulants in the 12 months before the survey, 14.7% reported having given
away some of their medication, 7.3% having sold some of their medication, 4.3%
having experienced theft and 3.0% having been forced to give up some of their
medication. Non-medical stimulant use by students who did not have a prescription
for stimulants was significantly related to increased numbers of students who
gave or sold some of their prescribed stimulants, at both the school class
and individual student levels."
Medical
and nonmedical stimulant use among adolescents: from sanctioned to unsanctioned
use CMAJ 2001 (Oct 16); 165 (8): 1039-1044
Poulin C
RITALIN OVERDOSES GROWING IN FREQUENCY A growing number
of youngsters taking the drug Ritalin® (methylphenidate) experience overdose,
researchers report. The study looked at the frequency of Ritalin overdose
cases reported to a regional poison control center in Detroit. Children ages
6 to 9 years were at the greatest risk of overdose, compared with other age
groups. Over a two-year period, 289 cases were reported. Of these, 31% developed
symptoms. Most common adverse effects included chycardia, agitation and lethargy.
Most cases were due to parents or caregivers unintentionally giving patients
excessive amounts of the drug.
White SR, Yadao CM Characterization
of methylphenidate exposures reported to a regional poison control center Arch
Pediatr Adolesc Med 2000 (Dec); 154 (12): 1199-1203
RITALIN FRAUD! CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST MAKERS OF RITALIN
The law firm of Waters & Kraus has announced the filing in Texas of a
class action lawsuit entitled Hernandez, Plaintiff, Individually and on Behalf
of all Others Similarly Situated v. Ciba Geigy Corporation, U.S.A., Novartis
Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder (CHADD), and the American Psychiatric Association.
The suit states allegations based on fraud and conspiracy. From approximately
1955 through 1995, the exclusive or primary manufacturer and supplier of Ritalin
in this country was defendant Ciba/Novartis planned, conspired, and colluded
to create, develop and promote the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder
(ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a highly successful
effort to increase the market for its product Ritalin. In addition to its actions
and involvement with the creation of the ADD and ADHD diagnosis, Ciba/Novartis
took steps to promote and dramatically increase the sales of Ritalin by way
of the following:
1. Actively promoting and supporting the concept
that a significant percentage of children suffer from a "disease" which required
narcotic treatment/therapy;
2. Actively promoting Ritalin as the "drug of choice" to
treat children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD:
3. Actively supporting groups such as Defendant
CHADD, both financially and with other means, so that such organizations
would promote and support (as a supposed neutral party) the ever-increasing
implementation of ADD/ADHD diagnoses as well as directly increasing Ritalin
sales;
4. Distributing misleading sales and promotional
literature to parents, schools and other interested persons in a successful
effort to further increase the number of diagnoses and the number of persons
prescribed Ritalin."
The suit further alleges that defendant CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention
Hyperactivity Disorder) has been a recipient of financial donations and contributions
from Defendants Ciba/Novartis for many years. CHADD received $748,000 from
Ciba/Novartis in the period 1991 to 1994 alone. During the periods when CHADD
received funding from Ciba/Novartis, CHADD deliberately made efforts to increase
the sales of Ritalin, and to increase the supply of methylphenidate (the generic
name for Ritalin) available in the United States, and to reduce or eliminate
laws and restrictions concerning the use of Ritalin and methylphenidate in
the U.S.A., all to the financial benefit of Ciba/Novartis. Ciba/Novartis made
such financial contributions with the purpose of advertising and promoting
sales of Ritalin - an internationally controlled substance.
Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1019 U.N.T.S. 175 (1971). CHADD's activities
nationwide have led to significant increase on the amount of Ritalin taken
by school children and have directly resulted in enormous profits to Ciba/Novartis.
It is not generally known or understood by the public that use of Ritalin will
preclude a child from ever joining the United States military because Ritalin
is classified as a Class II controlled substance, along with morphine and other
amphetamines. Additionally, parents, the school districts and other
interested parties are generally unaware that use of Ritalin can cause a significant
number of health problems and risks, including but not limited to the following:
Cardiovascular
Rapid heart beat (palpitations, tachycardia)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Unusual heart rhythm (arrythmia)
Heart attack (cardiac arrest)
Central Nervous System
Altered mental status (psychosis)
Hallucinations
Depression or excitement
Convulsions / seizures
(excessive brain stimulation)
Drowsiness
Confusion or "dopey" feeling
Lack of sleep (insomnia)
Agitation, irritation,
Anxiety, nervousness
Hostility
Unhappiness (Dysphoria)
Impaired mental abilities
(cognitive impairment on tests)
Jerky movements, Tics, Tourette's syndrome
Nervous habits
(such as picking at skin or pulling hair)
Compulsive behavior
Depression/over-sensitivity
Decreased social interest
Zombie-like behavior
Gastrointestinal
Eating disorders (anorexia)
Nausea / Vomiting
Stomach ache / cramps
Dry mouth
Constipation
Endocrine/Metabolic
Growth problems (pituitary dysfunction)
Weight loss
Other
Blurred vision
Headache
Dizziness
Rash/conjunctivitis/hives
Hair loss
Inflammation of the skin (dermatitis)
Blood disorders (anorexia, leukoplacia)
Involuntary discharge of urine (enuresis)
Fever
Joint pain
Unusual sweating
Withdrawal and Rebound
Worsening of ADHD-like symptoms
Depression
Sleep problems (insomnia)
Evening crash
Over-activity and irritability
Websites/ Articles of Interest:
The ADD/ADHD Page @ Chiro.Org
Chiropractic and Spinal Research on ADD/ADHD
Assorted
Reasearch on ADD
Assorted
Research on Ritalin
Fight for Kids. com
Psychiatric Drug Facts ~ Peter Breggin,
M.D.
SANTA: Stimulants Are Not
The Answer
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
~ (Exposing the Fraud of ADD and ADHD)
Death From Ritalin The Truth Behind
ADHD
Methylphenidate and ADHD
ADHD Not a Cookie
Cutter Problem
Mothering
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