Psychiatrist Discloses Ritalin’s Hidden Dangers to Children
Warning Contradicts Claims that Drug is Helpful
Ritalin decreases blood flow to the brain, and routinely causes other gross malfunctions in the developing brain of the child, reveals Peter R. Breggin, M.D., Director of the International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology and associate faculty at The Johns Hopkins University Department of Counseling. In his new book, Talking Back to Ritalin (Common Courage Press, 1998), Dr. Breggin thoroughly documents the many scientific studies that have been ignored by Ritalin advocates.
America’s children are being exposed to a "prescription epidemic" of dangerous, addictive stimulant drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall, according to the psychiatrist, a leading critic of psychopharmaceutical practices.
"Ritalin does not correct biochemical imbalances—it causes them," Dr. Breggin says, adding that there is some evidence that it can cause permanent damage to the child’s brain and its function.
"Pediatricians, parents, and teachers are not aware of these hazards because a large body of research demonstrating the ill effects of this drug has been ignored and suppressed in order to encourage the sale of the drug," Dr. Breggin stated. Damaging effects of the drug can include:
Decreased blood flow to the brain, an effect recently shown to be caused by cocaine where it is associated with impaired thinking ability and memory loss.
Disruption of growth hormone, leading to suppression of growth in the body and brain of the child
Permanent neurological tics, including Tourette’s Syndrome
Addiction and abuse, including withdrawal reactions on a daily basis
Psychosis (mania), depression, insomnia, agitation, and social withdrawal
Possible shrinkage (atrophy) or other permanent physical abnormalities in the brain
Worsening of the very symptoms the drug is supposed to improve including hyperactivity and inattention
Decreased ability to learn
"Ritalin and other stimulants are currently prescribed to several million U.S. children in the hope of improving their supposed hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity," says Dr. Breggin. He presents evidence that these drugs "work" by producing robotic or zombie-like behavior in children. This enforced docility and obedience can produce a few weeks of subdued behavior but has no positive effect on academic achievement and no positive long-term effects at all. Contrary to claims by drug advocates, giving Ritalin to a child does not help to prevent future problems such as school failure or delinquency.
Ritalin’s lack of effectiveness has been proven by hundreds of studies but has not been revealed to doctors, teachers or parents. "Parents and teachers and even doctors have been badly misled by drug company marketing practices," Dr. Breggin says. "Drug companies have targeted children as a big market likely to boost profits—and children are suffering as a result."
Dr. Breggin describes the principles necessary to empower parents to help their children with their behavioral and school problems without resorting to drugs. He does not believe that mind-altering drugs are ever an appropriate approach to helping our children. Instead, he urges adults to learn to identify and meet the individual needs of the children in their care.
Most children receiving Ritalin have been identified for treatment by teachers who have been misled by drug company and government promotional campaigns for Ritalin and other stimulants. "Educate—don’t medicate," should be the motto of every parent or teacher who is tempted to resort to Ritalin, says Dr. Breggin.
The stimulant drugs include Ritalin (methylphenidate), Dexedrine and Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine or d-amphetamine), Adderall (D-amphetamine and amphetamine mixture), Desoxyn and Gradumet (methamphetamine), and Cylert (pemoline).
Additional information about the hazards of Ritalin and other stimulants can be found on Dr. Breggin’s web site at: http://www.breggin.com/.

Originally published August 22 2006

ADHD drugs to carry new warnings about psychotic behavior(NewsTarget) The U.S.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced yesterday that several ADHD drugs must now carry information on the labels warning consumers of the risk of heart problems and psychotic behavior associated with taking the drugs.
FDA spokeswoman Susan Bro says GlaxoSmithKline's Dexetrine drug and Novartis AG's Ritalin must now include warnings about risks of serious heart problems and sudden death. ADHD drugs act as stimulants and can raise blood pressure, possibly triggering heart trouble. Users of the drugs are also at risk of displaying behavioral problems -- which the drugs are often prescribed to treat -- such as aggression and mania.
Bro was unable to confirm whether Johnson & Johnson's Concerta drug and Eli Lilly's Strattera were also included in the warning mandate. However, Strattera already includes cautions about suicidal thoughts, and Shire Plc's Adderall warns users that abuse can cause heart problems.
Bro also could not confirm whether the warnings would be in a "black box" -- the FDA's strongest warning. However, on Monday, Glaxo's letter alerting doctors of the new warnings indicated that the caution was boxed.
The decision comes after two separate outside review panels split on whether or not to include warnings, and whether or not to enforce a black box on the warnings. Some doctors say they are concerned that the warnings could frighten patients away from using the drugs. The FDA estimates roughly 1 million adults and 2 million children fill ADHD drug prescriptions every month.
Critics of ADHD drugs say the medications are not only dangerous, but largely unnecessary and overprescribed. "Black box warnings," said Mike Adams, a consumer health advocate and critic of the practice of medicating children with psychotropic drugs, "are a clever tool used by the FDA to avoid banning dangerous drugs. By resorting to warnings that most consumers and doctors ignore, the agency can imply that responsibility for harm is shifted to the consumer. In reality, the FDA shoulders the full blame for allowing these dangerous drugs to remain on the market."