dangers of Ritalin coming to light

WHAT'S WRONG WITH RITALIN?
"Some children, of course, have problems so severe that drugs like Ritalin are a godsend. But that has little to do with the most obvious reason millions of American children are taking Ritalin: compliance. One day at a time, the drug continues to make children do what their parents and teachers either will not or cannot get them to do without it: Sit down, shut up, keep still, pay attention. In short, Ritalin is a cure for childhood." -- Mary Eberstadt (Reading, Writing, and Ritalin)

MIGHT AS WELL ASK "WHAT'S WRONG WITH COCAINE?"
Contemporary U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reports (Nov 1999) state that more than 10 percent of school-age children have been diagnosed with either ADD or ADHD. In some schools, as many as 20 percent of students are medicated each day. Prescriptions for methylphenidate (Ritalin) and other generic types have increased more than 600 percent in just ten years. At that current rate, more than eight million school children in this country are now on the drug. Prescription sales are more than $1 billion a year. AMERICANS use five times more Ritalin than all other countries combined. The DEA is heavily involved in Ritalin use because Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a powerful stimulant and has quickly become a sought-after street drug. While it can have a calming effect on younger children with ADD, in older individuals it acts as a stimulant or form of "speed" which the DEA warns has the same properties as cocaine.

Upton, New York: Brookhaven National Laboratory: When Ritalin was injected into healthy test subjects, it had the same pattern of distribution in the brain as cocaine (demonstrated by studies conducted on coke addicts.) In fact, cocaine addicts, could not distinguish Ritalin from cocaine. Ritalin's effects peaked between four and 10 minutes, which is similar to cocaine's at two to eight minutes. The only significant difference the researchers uncovered was that Ritalin took four times longer (90 minutes) to leave the body than cocaine.

Berkeley, California: University of California at Berkeley studies found that Ritalin users were three times more likely to develop a "taste" for cocaine than nonusers. Some researchers now fear that, like amphetamines, Ritalin use alters brain chemistry in such a way that the use of cocaine has a stronger effect than it would otherwise, thereby increasing the risk of addiction. (Notes from DEA meeting, Dec 96)

These cocaine-like effects have apparently been a factor in Ritalin's popularity as a street drug. According to a recent study on this issue, 16% of children on Ritalin reported that they had been approached to sell their medication and 4% reported having it stolen at least once. (Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics 98,19:187-192)

Brookhaven Laboratory researchers have been following 5,000 children with attention disorders from childhood into adulthood. Based on their findings, it appears that when Ritalin treated ADHD children reach adolescence, they exhibit higher rates of alcohol and drug abuse and the Ritalin users are involved in more criminal activities and accidents compared to nonusers of Ritalin. The destructive pattern appears to continue into adulthood, with higher rates of divorce, low self-esteem and depression. More than a third of
these individuals drop out of the school system completely and one-tenth attempt suicide.

In addition to the eight million school children currently on medication for ADD or ADHD, it is now estimated that more than 13 million adults suffer from these disorders, and more are diagnosed every day. Keep in mind that these numbers don't include Europe and the rest of the world, where Ritalin sales are starting to skyrocket.

Positron-emission tomography (PET) studies have revealed that individuals with ADD and ADHD have difficulty with glucose metabolism. (In simpler terms, they have blood sugar problems). Children are affected most by blood sugar problems due to the fact that half of their daily caloric intake is used to fuel brain activity.

Studies have revealed that ADHD children release only about half the amount of catecholamines as normal children. Using PET scans, researchers found an uncontrolled drop in blood sugar which significantly decreased brain activity in ADD/ADHD children.

The studies also reported that ADHD children become physically hyperactive in an unconscious effort to force their adrenal glands to release more catecholamines (these are the hormones commonly referred to as 'adrenaline" that can result in extraordinary acts of strength during times of stress - they also make you feel like you have the jitters). These children apparently are unconsciously placing their bodies under stress in an attempt to "squeeze" more hormones from their already weakened adrenal glands. [Pediatric Resident 95;38(4).-539-421].

Excerpt from Alternatives Newsletter, October, 1999, David Williams, Ph.D. - Editor.

AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER STORY: Students using drugs for exams 22Nov99
High school and university students are buying powerful prescription drugs for as little as $1 to beat the stress of end-of-year exams.

The drug Ritalin - a form of amphetamine or speed used to treat attention deficit (ADD) and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - is being sold to help students "stay awake" during intense last-minute cramming sessions.

Students prescribed Ritalin for ADHD are on-selling the drug to schoolmates unaware it could seriously damage their health.

Health authorities fear a 20-fold increase in Ritalin prescription numbers in recent years is feeding the schoolyard drug trade.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners said Ritalin worked like a "super speed".

"Students are using this to keep awake to finish things," RACGP chairman David Dammery said.

"There's no question it's (Ritalin) been diverted. The kids are selling. It's been happening more in the last couple of months."

Dr Dammery warned unprescribed use of the drug caused aggression, anxiety and heart seizures.

The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre said single Ritalin tablets were being sold for anything between $1 and $20 on the blackmarket. A pack of 100 tablets costs around $75.

"It's not good as a study aid - you're going to become more confused, you will become quite agitated - and you're not going to concentrate a lot," NDARC spokesman Paul Dillon said.

Departing Alcohol and Drugs Council of Australia chief David Crosbie said he had noticed a blowout in prescription numbers of Ritalin, making it easier for people to gain access. "The level of prescribing it has become much more available in the community," he said. He was aware of kids using the drug as a study aid. "But it isn't necessarily a smart drug. It has mood altering qualities,"he said. "The reaction is different for each person so it may not even help you."

Adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg said ADHD may be overdiagnosed by doctors who are under pressure from parents to explain their child's disruptive behaviour. "These kids that are being prescribed, aren't taking it - they're selling it," he said. Dr Carr-Gregg said it was "predominantly" senior high school students.

An Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence report last year warned ADHD children had been bullied at school into handing over their drugs.

State health department figures show the number of Ritalin tablets prescribed has soared exponentially since 1990, with some states posting a 20-fold increase.

Ritalin, also known as methylphenidate, should only be prescribed by pediatricians, child psychiatrists and GP's who worked with specialists.

ADHD is a behavioural syndrome where hyperactivity and inattention causes social and learning difficulties. David Kaiser, Ph.D.

Ritalin Fraud
The law firm of Waters & Kraus takes this opportunity to announce 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. Dr. Peter Breggin is serving as a medical consultant in the case. While this filing is a departure from Waters & Kraus' continuing practice of toxic exposure and cancer cases, the pattern and practice of improper conduct on the part of the defendants in this case rivals that of the asbestos corporate defendants and tobacco companies in other cases.

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-Geigy Corp., U.S.A. ("Ciba"). In 1996 Ciba merged with Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corp. to become defendant Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. ("Novartis"). Ciba/Novartis has manufactured, marketed and sold Ritalin since approximately 1955.

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:

Actively promoting and supporting the concept that a significant percentage of children suffer from a "disease" which required narcotic treatment/therapy; Actively promoting Ritalin as the "drug of choice" to treat children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD: 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; 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. Defendant CHADD (Children and Adults with AttentionDeficit/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 United States, 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. Ciba/Novartis has thus repeatedly violated Article 10 of the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1019 U.N.T.S. 175 (1971).

CHADD's activities nationwide have led to significant increase in the amount of Ritalin taken by school children and have directly resulted in enormous profits to Ciba/Novartis.

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 or "dopey" feeling
Confusion
Lack of sleep (insomnia)
Agitation, irritation, anxiety, nervousness
Hostility
Unhappiness (Dysphoria)
Impaired mental abilities (cognitive impairment on tests)
Jerky movements (Dyskinesias, 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
Abnormal liver function tests
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

Sleep problems (insomnia)
Evening crash
Depression
Over-activity and irritability
Worsening of ADHD-like symptoms

In addition, 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. For additional information on the effects of Ritalin, please refer to Dr. Breggin's article, Psychostimulants in the Treatment of Children Diagnosed with ADHD: Risks and Mechanisms of Action.

Troll
I ask you.....Whatever happened to "Just say No to drugs"
May I assume that Adderal is in the same family as Ritalin as far as this entry is concerned?
Finally what I have felt all along, may finally be found to be true. Please keep us up to date!
Thanks,
Mom

Let me ask you ; when is a child's problems so severe,that "Ritalin can be a godsend"? Who should decide that the child problems warrant Ritalin,you? His parents? His Physican? or better yet,his teachers?
Do you actually believe that Ritalin is so much a chemical restraint,that allows total compliance by the ADHD child? You would be bitterly disappointed.It doesn't. I can dig up enough statisctics pointing to the evils of drug abuse,alcoholism,being directly corelated with children who have not been medicated or treated with medication,but how productive would that be? Fact is ,our kids WILL be at higher risk,we WILL need to take carefule note of this,and provide support when needed,before it happens,not after it happens. Depending on what side of the fence you live on, this problem,drug abuse,will not go away,just because the parents feel medication isn't right for their child. no ritalin = no drug abuse? not likely,unfortunately.

Several points I would like to make about this posting.
1: my 2 kids take ritalin

2: Neither is a zombie

3: neither is disruptive or any other negative stereotype

4.my kids were diagnosed at a military hospital by military developmental pediatricians.I was unfamiliar with ADHD at the time and at no time was this suggested by a teacher. Obviously we know about the current status of ritalin users being barred from enlisting. However,as we learn more about ADHD this should eventually be phased out. I would say the military is full of undiagnosed adult ADDers(lots of workaholics and they don't get overtime)

5: The military dr's don't get extra pay for their diagnoses and the military pharmacy goes between buying brand name and generic methylphenidate and we know they aren't receiving bonuses for buying brand name meds.

6:The only symptom that one of my kids shows is a hard time getting to sleep which is a symptom of ADD. His father has this problem as does his grandmother,neither of whom takes ritalin. It may be genetic.

7: There are also studies that state many current criminals serving time in prison are undiagnosed ADDers and that the ADHD is the reason for their diificulties not that they took ritalin. I think most people can find a study or statistic to support what they already believe is true.

8: I believe it is also fair to say that many kids who drop out of school who are ADHD and have taken meds during school were also subjected to schools and teachers who either thought ritalin should be a magic pill and they didn't have to do anything special to help these kids succeed or the school admins and teachers didn't believe ADHD even exists.Thus continued school failure lowers self esteem and contributes to depression and lack of self confidence to stand up for yourself.

9: Which leads me to my final point.I agree that the school shootings are horrible, I cry every time I see news about them. It saddens me to see all the wasted life, but I think there are many factors that are involved in why these kids are unable to see a way out of their situations other than ultimate violence.I do not see ritalin as a main factor however, because not all adders take ritalin.What I do see as a common thread is kids being mistreated and tortured by their schoolmates and no one helping out by telling someone who could help. The mistreatment does not occur in a vacuum. Parents need to talk to their kids about all the aspects of the problem, a)they can come to their parents for help anytime for any reason b) that teasing hurts and is not just temporary, many adults remember the teasing they dealt with and it still hurts and c) that just standing by and allowing the teasing to go on without trying to stop it or by not telling an adult is just as bad as being a perpetrator. Our kids should know that just like when we talk about child abuse , they should tell, tell,tell until they find someone who will help.

And now... I step off of my soapbox.

Thanks for listening.

These are valid comments. My husband got on the aspartane band wagon two years ago. It is HORRIBLE stuff, as is MSG (in so many of our foods)...........these are neurotoxins.

Article in Orange County Register several months ago explored that issue of non-treated ADHD youngsters being far more atrisk for drug/alcohol abuse. I've been there, done it and seen it. I come from an ADHD family, we have ADHD from one side of our family bigtime. Many of these persons developed alcholism and have had multiple adjustment problems, difficulty holding down jobs and the like. From my perspective as an educator, now that relatives have gotten the diagnosis, I can look back 2 generations or 3 and pick out the family members who suffered from this condition long before it had the name ADHD. Dysfunctionality is very common in such families and the children who grow up in such homes often suffer, whether or not they inherit the condition. These are devastating, often lifelong problems for people. I would not ever go on record denying people who can truly benefit from ritalin access.

By the same token, would you allow a diabetic child not to take insulin? Insulin is a drug, too, and given via shots! (I already know the answer to that question, AND the rebuttal I'm going to get in response.)

ADHD is not a life-threatening disease as diabetes is, but it IS a condition that really hurts one's ability to function in the world. A child (or adult) who can't sit still, who can't pay attention and concentrate, and who can't control his impulses is at great risk of failing miserably in school and in life. If you expect him to try to function on his own and he just can't do it, what alternative besides medication do you have, except to treat the problem as willful defiance, and to scold, spank, and/or ground the child every time his ADHD rears its ugly head? (Which will happen quite frequently, I might add--especially in school.)

It's interesting to note that there are those who believe that ADHD doesn't exist and that strict discipline is all they need to make them behave. On an education NG I frequent, at one time, there was a poster who said just that. She kept saying that there is no such thing as ADHD, just lazy, undisciplined kids who simply need to be whipped. Suffice it to say I do NOT agree with that poster!!!

ADHD is a very real condition, caused by a glitch in the brain, and punishing the child who has it will not cure the disorder or teach him to cope with it. He needs a way to be helped to sit still and pay attention when the need arises, and just spanking him, standing him in the corner, or sending him to his room won't do it. In many cases, medication is needed to control the neurological problem that gives rise to ADHD. When proper medication is given, the child is able to function for the first time. And studies have shown that it does not lead to drug abuse later, either.

Yours truly,
Kathy G.

Such a controversial thread! And how very different opinions can be. Perhaps rather than reacting immediately in a knee-jerk fashion to what we may read into the intent of the original poster (after all, this person did sign as troll…) we would be better served to look at what was posted, and offer rebuttals accordingly. It is interesting to note how quickly some will rush to defend the widespread overuse of Ritalin by citing the percentage of users who are helped while ignoring the percentage who are harmed. Why should cookie cutter medication be any more acceptable than cookie cutter educational approaches?

Is Ritalin usage on the rise? Well most certainly so, the FDA tracts these things, and reports Ritalin prescription are up 500% since the beginning of the 90’s. This alone should give pause for reflection, if nothing else. Does this mean ADHD is also up 500%? Well, no according to the figures kept by the DOE, ADHD is not up anywhere close to that number. In fact, with the exception of autism, none of the diverse categories has risen at this pace over the same decade, not ADD/ADHD, nor the more generic categories of specific learning disabilities, serious emotional disturbance, or developmental delay. Indeed, according to the DOE’s published reports, ALL children served under IDEA/Section 504 have remained pretty steady over the decade of the 90’s, at roughly 12% of the total student population, with the one category of autism showing significant gains.

So on one hand, we have the use of amphetamine to treat attention deficit climbing steadily while the target population for this medication has not. The DEA (note, not the media, but the Federal Agency who is responsible for tracking such things as drug usage trends) says there are now 8 million children on Ritalin. Considering that ADD/ADHD is thought by those experts who have the greatest experience with it to affect 4% of school aged children, and considering that according to the Statistical Abstract of the US there are 275 million Americans, of which 25.7% are under 18, that gives us an expected target population of 2.8 million children with ADD/ADHD. Now either the people who diagnosis ADD/ADHD are seriously undercounting these children, or the people prescribing Ritalin are over prescribing this drug.

I do not think anyone reasonable would deny that there are those children who by all appearances are indeed helped to achieve a better existence thru the use of medication like Ritalin. However, the same reasonable person would also agree that to prescribe a psychotropic drug with highly addictive properties like Ritalin to children who do not have ADD/ADHD is reckless at best and dangerously malpracticant at worst. For there to be 8 million children on Ritalin (which places it at approaching 12% of the under 18 group) is both disturbing and telling at the same time.

It is not uncommon for a doctor to prescribe Ritalin for children as young as 4 based upon a 15 minute interview with the child’s parents, without ever closely examining the child in question, or checking for any contraindicators or searching for those other conditions which may mask as ADD to casual observation, but which may be determined with closer investigation. One example of this is CAPD, another example is Asperger’s, neither of which will benefit from being medicated with Ritalin. It is also not uncommon for doctors not to have a set protocol to follow, but to use blind trial and error in prescribing psychotropics. When the child obviously reacts poorly to one, instead of stopping and searching for underlying medical reasons for the behavior, the doctor will often either up the dosage of the wrong medication, or jump to a different one which also is untested in this.

It is often bandied that Ritalin has had adequate testing, that it is one of the most heavily tested drugs on the market. This is a fallacy that is commonly tossed out by the "pro" camp. Ritalin has never been properly tested with the preteen population (although a few trials are being conducted now), and yet children as young as 4 are being put on it. Ritalin also has not been properly studied for long terms effects upon chronic users (few studies have gone beyond 1 year in follow up, and none beyond 3 years). Drugs like Ritalin physically alter the neural net, building lifetime dependency, and very often lose their kick after a while, leading to stronger prescription such as Adderall and Dexedrine.

Another frequent ploy is the use of slanderous discrediting of those vocal opponents to universal application of Ritalin. Many people will repeat these lines, Breggin being a favorite target. One the one hand, Breggin is most definitely a zealot, and is extreme in his position of zero medication. On the other hand, his opinion is help in high regard by the courts, where his testimony has been instrumental in successful court cases (Liss vs. Doeff, May 26, 2000 (Risperdal) appeal pending, Accardo vs. Cenac March 14, 1997 (Prolixin Decanoate) survived appeal). In addition, he is also called to provide expert testimony in the upcoming class action suit Nguyen & Farber vs. Smithkline Beecham (Paxil), and in the class action suit against Novartis (formerly Ciba Geigy), the manufacturer of Ritalin, CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), a parents’ organization that is partially funded by drug companies, and the American Psychiatric Association. Breggin has also been called upon to testify before Congress upon the danger of the rampant use of Ritalin to control children. Not to bad for a crank, wouldn’t you agree?

Sorry, Kathy -- the jury is still out on your "glitch" in the brain. Argument exists that this is still an opinion, not a fact.

While Ritalin is a godsend to many children, I maintain that this is "IN THE ABSENCE OF OTHER, MORE APPROPRIATE THERAPIES".

I'm sorry, but this drug is being pushed in the schools -- by teachers via pediatricians. It is being WAY over-used.

I think, being the granddaughter of one of the early persons to benefit from insulin, that this is an inappropriate comparison.

No-one is dying from ADHD.

If Ritalin were used as a last resort, instead of a plan of initial response, I might have more respect for its use.

(posted with all respect for other opinions, in agreement or otherwise!)

A little something I want to add. ADHD is not the only condition that has been misdiagnosed in the past, and still is. Other conditions have been, too. For example, how many deaf children have been misdiagnosed as being mentally retarded, because no one thought to check their hearing? Yet no one suggests that mental retardation is nonexistent and should not be treated, because some have been misdiagnosed as having it. Yet, so often, some say that ADHD should not be treated since some are misdiagnosed as having it! That could cause a lot of trouble for children and adults who do have the disorder.

Yours truly,
Kathy G.