• Defective Drug Side Effects

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A new study estimating that attention-deficit hyperactivity drugs send thousands to the emergency room annually is renewing the debate over the risks associated with the highly prescribed medications.

Physicians with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted the study, which appears in today''s New England Journal of Medicine . The study estimated that more than 3,000 people require emergency room treatment each year as a result of adverse reactions to the medications.

According to the findings, patients frequently suffered from strokes, chest pain, and irregular heartbeats. The study also reported that more than 50 percent of the hospital visits involved accidental overdoses.

Earlier this year the Food and Drug Administration drug-advisory panel recommended that ADHD drugs carry a strong “black box” warning about the potential cardiovascular risks.

The recommendation came after the government received reports linking 25 deaths – 19 involving children – to the popular drugs. The FDA received an additional 54 reports of serious heart problems related to ADHD drugs.

Dr. Steven E. Nissen, Cleveland Clinic cardiologist and advocate of the warning label, said, “I think we need to look forward and say, ‘how comfortable are we that these drugs are absolutely safe?'' And I''m not comfortable at all.”

Approximately four million Americans take ADHD drugs such as Ritalin, Concerta, and Adderall. The FDA is still trying to implement labeling changes that reflect the current data.