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FDA Advisory Committee Recommends Stronger Labeling for ADHD Drugs
On February 10, 2006, The FDA’s Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee recommended that attention deficit/hyperactivity drugs should be prescribed with a Medication Guide warning of possible cardiovascular risks with this class of stimulant agents. The committee split 8 to 7 on recommending that a Black Box Warning be added to the labeling of ADHD drugs that are considered stimulants. The FDA conducted an analysis of adverse event rates for the following ADHD drugs: amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR, Dextrostat, Dexedrine, and Dexedrine Spansules), methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin, Ritalin SR, Ritalin LA, Methylin, Methylin ER, Metadate ER, and Metadate CD), methamphetamine (Desoxyn), and dexmethylphenidate (Focalin). Results of the study found higher rates of serious cardiovascular events and sudden death for amphetamine than in methylphenidate in both children and adults, with more events observed in adults than for children. The meeting was prompted by reports of 25 deaths and 54 cases of serious cardiovascular problems in adults and children between 1999 and 2003. An earlier FDA review found less than one death or serious injury per 1 million ADHD drug prescriptions filled. In the case of nonfatal cardiovascular or cerebrovascular problem, the number was 1.79 cases per 1 million in adults treated with amphetamines. The agency said it found an additional 26 deaths between 1969 and 2003. The FDA usually, but not always, follows the recommendations of its advisory committees. FAQ About ADD Coaching An ADD Coach is a person who has specialized training in helping the ADD client to reach his or her personal goals. What are the characteristics of a good coach? A good coach is one who knows how to encourage people, can think of solutions to problems, and can provide the support necessary to allow the client to accomplish his or her goals. Is an ADD Coach like a Therapist? Coaching and therapy are two different things. "Psychotherapy deals with healing psychological issues and is generally long term and intensive dealing with inter and intra personal issues as well as cognitive and behavioral development. The focus is often on past history and how it relates to that individual's development," says ADDitude's Coach on Call Sandy Maynard. She continues, "Coaching is very proactive and does not deal with psychological issues." You can see Sandy at work in our Ask the Coach Section.Is coaching cheaper than therapy? (see www.additudemag.com) Prices vary, from a low of $50 per hour to over $250 per hour, depending on the expertise of the coach, the level of involvement and other factors.Why couldn't I just ask a friend to do this for free? You could ask a friend. But is your friend going to understand how and why ADD makes you do certain things? How are you going to feel about this friend when he demands to know why you didn't reach a particular goal or deadline? Coach Nancy Ratey feels that parents, spouses or friends should not coach loved ones. "Because coaching focuses on the client's agenda it is best to have someone who is removed from the situation to be the coach." Does coaching involve a long-term commitment? It depends on your goals. If you're using a coach for a specific project, then that will determine how long you commit to the process. If you are using a coach for general self-help, it could become a long-term relationship if you want it to be. Most coaches ask for a three to six month commitment. What happens if I get into this and find it doesn't work for me? Can anyone be a coach?
February's Featured myADHD.com's Tools
This month's tool is a slide show on ADHD called What is ADHD? This slide show can be shown to families and educators to provide an overview of characteristics, causes, and treatments for ADHD. It can serve as an excellent brief introduction and lay the groundwork for future treatment. Visit myADHD.com today. myADHD.com online library: www.myadhd.com/librarytools.html A.D.D. WareHouse See our special sales for February 2006. www.addwarehouse.com To sign up for a live conference on ADHD visitwww.addconsults.com CHADD www.chadd.org Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) www.add.org Subscribe to Attention Research Updates for a free newsletter.
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