ReviewUniversity Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology

Brown University Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology Update, Aug2005, Vol 7 Issue 8,

p8-8. FDA to issue methylphenidate warnings.

According to the Brown University Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology Update the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are planning on adding a warning to all medications that contains methylphenidate. Methylphenidate is used in medications such as Ritalin and Concerta which are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The FDA is conducting a safety review of all ADHD medications prescribed and then the warning will be added to all the medications. The FDA wants to carry out this warning in the early part of 2006. The FDA wants to add this warning due to the fact that some children taking these medications are experiencing hallucinations, aggressive behavior, or suicidal thoughts. This warning is very important for children who might have to take these medications in the future. The FDA has, however, approved Adderall XR as a treatment to children and adolescents ages thirteen to seventeen with ADHD. Adderall has already been approved as a treatment for children ages six to twelve.