“Kiddie Cocaine” – FDA Approves New ADHD Amphetamine Drug Disguised as Candy
3rd June 2016 Contributing writer for Wake Up World Side effects include loss of appetite, insomnia, abdominal pain, emotional lability, vomiting, nervousness, nausea, fever and stunted growth. For those who have cardiac abnormalities, taking this class of pharmaceutical drug can cause sudden death. May cause psychotic or manic symptoms in patients with no prior history, or exacerbation of symptoms in patients with pre-existing psychosis. The drugs are addictive and have a high potential for abuse. Yet despite these dire warnings, the FDA has moved forward with making these pharmaceuticals more attractive to children, so that “the new, quick-dissolving formulation will help harried mothers get their kids medicated faster before school.” [source] The drugs in question? Pharmaceutical grade amphetamines used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The new drug on the block — and the one that has critics most worried — goes under the label Adzenys XR-ODT, an amphetamine similar to Adderall which dissolves on the tongue instead of being swallowed in pill form. It also tastes just like orange candy, earning it the dubious title “kiddie cocaine.” To highlight how bizarre the situation really is, an Adzenys advertisement presents a laundry list of side-effects, requirements and contraindications:
The above list makes one wonder if parents truly know what they are getting into by placing their child on pharmaceutical amphetamines. Serious medical condition or normal childhood behavior?Considering 11 percent of kids under 18 are diagnosed with ADHD, and sales for ADHD drugs last year reached $12.7 billion — up from $4.7 billion a decade ago — the classification of ADHD has come under scrutiny in recent years. Many feel doctors are immediately opting for pharmaceutical intervention when behavioral therapy, cleaning up the diet and reduced screen time is a more effective (and safe) route. Some believe ADHD is largely a sham, and that what the medical community is viewing as a disorder is actually normal childhood behavior rebelling against unreasonable modern poisons and constraints — such as additives and preservatives in food, heightened exposure to environmental toxins (including EMFs), sitting still for hours on end under fluorescent lighting and less time spent outdoors. Marketing genius or potential mayhem?As seen with prescription painkillers contributing to an uptick in heroin addiction, physicians are concerned the sweet-tasting, candy-like ADHD medication will also encourage addiction and illegal use. Dr. Mukund Gnanadesikan, a child and adolescent psychiatrist in Napa, California, feels that presenting amphetamines in a temptingly sweet manner and convenient package is “a recipe for people to request it and then sell it.” He adds, “I’m not a big fan of controlled substances that come in forms that can be easily abused — and certainly a chewable drug falls into that category.” In spite of questions raised, the extended-release amphetamine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration last January for use in children six and older. Neos Therapeutics, who developed and markets the drug, intensified their commercial efforts last week to get “ahead of the back-to-school season,” said CEO Vipin Garg. The launch is now in full-swing.
Apparently, wth 125 sales reps around the U.S., the company is having “no problem” selling the drug to physicians. Business is booming for ADHD drugs to begin with as 75 percent of children diagnosed with the condition are on medication. There’s also widespread misuse among teenagers and adults since the stimulants are often used as party drugs and for increasing performance — they’re especially popular among college students to help with focus and improve grades. It’s estimated that by 2020, ADHD drugs will grow to $17.5 billion in sales per year. It’s no surprise the company is pushing Adzenys hard. After all, their stocks soared when the drug was formally approved by the FDA. “The Grand Prairie-based company’s stock traded as much as 67 percent higher and ended Thursday with a gain of $3.96 a share, or 42 percent, to close at $13.38,” reported the Dallas Morning News at the time. Profits aside, the controversy surrounding Adzenys also involves the packaging — a blister pack, not a pill bottle — rendering the drug extremely convenient and portable, making it easier to ‘pop’ a tablet anytime, anywhere. For those who believe ADHD is excessively over-diagnosed, having Adzenys easily accessible and reminiscent of candy is disturbing.
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About the author: Carolanne Wright enthusiastically believes if we want to see change in the world, we need to be the change. As a nutritionist, natural foods chef and wellness coach, Carolanne has encouraged others to embrace a healthy lifestyle of organic living, gratefulness and joyful orientation for over 15 years.
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