Use of attention deficit drugs rose nearly 19 percent among ages 20 to 44 in 2005 while falling 5 percent in children under 10, according to statistics released on Tuesday amid a U.S. review of the drugs' safety.
Critics say ADHD drugs are overprescribed, especially among children. The safety of the medicines has faced growing scrutiny in recent months.
In February, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel called for a strong "black-box" warning on ADHD medicines, saying they might increase the chances of cardiovascular problems in some patients.
On Wednesday, a different FDA advisory panel is set to review data on a possible link between ADHD therapies and heart problems, as well as psychiatric problems such as hallucinations in children.
The FDA will consider the input from the panels before deciding whether to update warnings on the drug labels.
Steve - on the one hand, it is a relief to see that the number of children under 10 using ADHD drugs are falling. On the other hand, the meteoric rise in use by the 20-44 demographic is disturbing. Like we said in September of 2005 when similar statistics showed that ADHD drugs for adults was growing faster than almost any other class of medications, Big Pharma is betting on a large portion of the population taking them.
Changes to diets over the last 50 years may be playing a key role in the rise of mental illness, researchers say (refer to our 1/16/06 blog entry). Following a balanced eating blueprint like our Circle of Health is essential to minimize blood sugar ebbs and flows, which can cause extreme emotional highs and lows.
Tai Chi or other meditative/relaxation/breathing exercises can be very helpful for steady emotional disposition.
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