In a move that surprised some observers, an FDA advisory panel has called for a "black box" warning for ADHD drugs, saying the cardiovascular risks associated with the drugs require further study. The move is likely to add fuel to the debate over the widespread use of drugs like Adderall and Ritalin for the treatment of ADHD. According to some estimates, as many as 4 million Americans take ADHD medications. One recent government study concluded that as many as one-in-10 of all 10-year-old boys take the medicine.
The Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Steve Nissen, who was one of the eight specialists who voted in favor of the label change, said, "This is out-of-control use of drugs that have profound cardiovascular consequences. No one is saying that there aren't children who are desperately dysfunctional and need these drugs," Nissen said. "But it isn't 10 percent of 10-year-olds."
- see this article from the Los Angeles Times