Russ Howard | | All,
I just read this on Yahoo News. I felt this would be vital for all of you. I always wondered why whenever I was on strattera my bipolar got worse. Now I know.
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FDA Warns About ADHD Drug Strattera
By JOHN J. LUMPKIN, Associated Press Writer
1 minute ago
WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration warned doctors Thursday about reportsof suicidal thinking in
some children and adolescents who are taking Strattera, a drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Manufacturer Eli Lilly & Co. announced that a black-box warning will be added to the drug's label in the United
States. Such a warning is the most serious that can be added to a medication's label, and similar warnings
will be added to the drug's labels in other countries. The company said a study showed instances of suicidal
thinking were rare.
In a statement, the FDA said it "is advising health care providers and caregivers that children and adolescents
being treated with Strattera should be closely monitored for clinical worsening, as well as agitation,
irritability, suicidal thinking or behaviors, and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the initial few
months of therapy or when the dose is changed."
Eli Lilly said it provided the FDA results from Strattera clinical trials of 1,357 patients that found five youths
taking the medication reported having suicidal thoughts, while none of 851 patients taking a placebo reported having
any. One young person taking Strattera attempted suicide, but survived, company and FDA officials said.
There was no evidence of increased suicidal thoughts in adults taking Strattera, which also goes by the generic
name atomoxetine, the Indianapolis-based company said.
"The actual risk is very low," said Dr. Thomas Laughren, head of the FDA's psychiatric drug unit. Despite the
warning, he said, "FDA still views Strattera as an effective drug."
At the FDA's request, Eli Lilly will publish a guide for doctors and pharmacists to give to people who are
prescribed Strattera.
The warning is the result of a larger FDA review of psychiatric drugs and their possible association with
suicide, the agency said. Old drug studies are being reviewed for occurrences of suicides and suicidal thoughts.
Last year, the FDA ordered warnings on all antidepressants that they "increase the risk of suicidal thinking and
behavior" in children who take them.
Strattera won praise from some doctors and parents when it became available because, unlike Ritalin, it is not a
stimulant, a class of drug that can be addictive. But its chemical makeup is similar to certain antidepressants.
A review of other ADHD drugs is continuing, Laughren said.
About 3.4 million patients — adults and children — have been prescribed Strattera since it became available, with
Lilly officials saying about 75 percent of those taking the medication are children.
Dr. Harold Koplewisz, a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine,
said that 19 percent of all teenagers have suicidal thoughts, making "suicidal thoughts in adolescents part of
the normal experience."
"There are 2,400 adolescents thinking about suicide for every one that commits suicide," he said in an e-mail. "We
are talking about a medication that may make some children and teenagers uncomfortable, which is very different
than a lethal situation like a gun in a house."
Still, he said, all children and teens taking psychiatric medication should be monitored.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder affects as many as 7 percent of school-aged children and 4 percent of adults
in the United States.
Strattera's worldwide sales have dropped lately, falling 31 percent to $123.5 million during this year's second quarter
from a year earlier.
Lilly warned doctors in December to stop using Strattera in patients with jaundice or who show signs of liver problems,
and it placed a warning on the label and in prescribing information after at least two patients on the medication
developed liver problems.
The company said Thursday it believes the drug is safe.
"While suicidal thinking was uncommon in patients on the medication during clinical trials, it is important for
parents to be aware it can occur, and to discuss any unusual symptoms with a physician, " said Alan Breier,
Lilly's chief medical officer, in a statement. "Lilly continues to view Strattera as a safe and effective
treatment option, and those doing well on the medication should be able to continue their treatment with
confidence."
Associated Press reporter Ashley M. Heher in Indianapolis contributed to this report.
FDA: http://www.fda.gov
Eli Lilly & Co.: http://www.lilly.com/
Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten
or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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This is a MAJOR setback for those of us with ADHD. The ONLY non-stimulant for ADHD now may worsen suicide risk. Great! What else can go wrong?!
Russ Howard
Eagle Computer Technologies - Fort Worth, Texas
"Helping technology make sense to everyone"
russ.howard@eaglecomputertechnologies.com
Co-Leader - Ryze Home Page Helpers Network
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