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Adderall

Hello, my name is Justin and I was curious about the effects of taking adderall had on motor neuron and glutamate function.  I am currently in medical school and have been taking adderall for some time now and notice that when I am taking in caffeine along with adderall I experience muscle twitching within my arms, legs, and fingers.  Previously to my arrival at school, I was checked out by a neurologist who performed a NVC/EMG and said everything was fine.  I was wondering if you have done any research on amphetamines and their effect on neurotransmitter activity or have any advice on whether to continue taking the medication.  The medication is very beneficial, but I am worried about long term damage and was wondering if adderall causes or can cause glutamate toxicity within the motor cells.  I know muscle twitching is usually benign, but I am concerned about the effects adderall has on motor neuron activity possible MND.  I know this is kind of an off the wall question, but I would really appreciate any input you or your colleagues have on this issue and if I should continue taking adderall?  Thank you for your time.
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1200909 tn?1306815081
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1083596 tn?1313394676
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear Jh,
Well our friend dollyn has answered all the details very nicely.

Please discuss , if you have more queries.

Regards
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Avatar universal
My son was on adderall  and they do have very bad side effects ,as they all do.

My son started the twitching in his sleep and would be very sleepy during the morning  and then a School Nurse said to me that she thou my son was having Seizures. I letter learned that Adderall and Concerta witch he had been on both  could cause Seizures. Doctor sent my son for a EEG and thou it would come back normal. I got a call saying he was sorry and that my son EEG Didn't come back normal and that he was sending us to see a Neurologist and that Doctor was not nice and wanted to know how I didn't know my son was having Seizures. They put my son in the Hospital and did a Video EEG and stared him on medicine to try and stop the Seizures. It was while my son was in the Hospital that another Doctor told me that the drugs could have cause my son to start having Seizures. My son know longer takes drugs for his ADD and ADHD.  

He still has Seizures every day and as time as gone by he started to have more than one kind of Seizures. The Medicines he is on and has been on has not stopped the Seizures. My son also Last year in June had Surgery to put a VNS in him to try and help the Seizures. We have had MRI .EKG and blood work done to role things out.

I posted this on the ADD and ADHD .

I think you should read this.And try taken Vitamin B6 and Omega 3-6-9 Vitamins every day .These have helped my son learn better and calm down.



Criticism of Adderall

For several years, parents, doctors, and other citizens have expressed deep concern about Adderall use. Many critics claim that Adderall and similar medications are widely over-prescribed to children who may exhibit behavioral problems that mimic, but are not caused by, ADHD. Another major concern about Adderall and similar medications are their high potential for abuse and addiction.

On college campuses nationwide, Adderall and other ADHD medications are quickly becoming drugs of choice as popular study aids. It seems caffeine just does not cut it anymore for late night cram sessions. More and more young students are abusing Adderall, stating that the drug improves concentration and increases stamina during long hours of study. Many assume that because the drug is legal for prescription use, it must be relatively safe. According to recent studies, widely used—and abused— ADHD drugs may not be very safe at all.

What is Adderall?

Adderall (a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) is a prescription stimulant used to treat adults and children (over the age of six) with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Adderall was the second drug to be approved to treat ADHD, following Ritalin’s already long stay on the market. The FDA approved Adderall in 1996 and later approved Adderall XR Extended-Release capsules in 2001. Shire Pharmaceuticals Group Plc manufactures this popular ADHD medication. Millions of people have taken this drug, with and without a prescription.



In February 2005, the Health Canada (the Canadian equivalent to our FDA) pulled Adderall off the market after receiving 20 reports of children who died suddenly while taking Adderall. According to the regulatory agency, they received safety information concerning the association of sudden deaths, heart-related deaths, and strokes in children and adults taking recommended doses of Adderall and Adderall XR. This risk of Adderall death seemed particularly high for individuals with structural heart abnormalities.

In response to these findings, the FDA issued an advisory warning about the possible risk of death, but allowed the drug to remain on the market. In August 2005, Health Canada allowed Adderall to re-enter the market because the agency was unable to prove (within that six-month period) that Adderall was more dangerous than other ADHD medications. While Adderall continues to be sold, there are serious risks associated with this popular medication.

Serious Adderall Side Effect Risks

According to Shire Pharmaceuticals and the FDA, there are serious Adderall side effect risks of which patients and healthcare professionals should be aware. These include:
# HIGH ABUSE POTENTIAL Adderall carries a black box warning—the strongest warning issued by the FDA short of a drug recall—informing consumers about the serious risk of Adderall abuse. This Adderall warning states that taking amphetamines for long periods may lead to Adderall addiction. The warning details the significant risks posed when Adderall is taken for non-therapeutic use or is distributed to others. The Adderall black box warning also states that misuse of Adderall can cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular events.

# SUDDEN DEATH According to February 2006 reports, at least 24 Adderall deaths were reported to the FDA between 1999 and 2003. Other cases of possible Adderall death were not counted because the deceased used other drugs, the deaths fell out of the parameters of the study, or the deaths were to non-US citizens. Thus, the number of Adderall deaths may be significantly underestimated.

# PSYCHOSIS Adderall side effects can aggravate or cause psychosis in patients with existing mental conditions. Patients with previous mental conditions should be carefully monitored for signs of Adderall psychosis. This Adderall risk can be significant given that a large percentage of people suffering from ADHD also suffer from co-morbid psychological disorders.

# CARDIOVASCULAR INJURY Evidence shows that Adderall may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events including heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and other serious conditions. This Adderall side effect risk appears to be greater in people with a history of cardiovascular conditions and those who misuse this drug.

# WORSENING TICS Adderall side effects can worsen tics and Tourette’s disorder.

# STUNTED GROWTH AND WEIGHT LOSS Particularly in children, Adderall can decrease growth and cause significant weight loss. Children who take Adderall for long periods should be carefully monitored for these Adderall side effects by having their height and weight measured regularly.

Other Adderall Side Effects
Other Adderall side effects can include significant loss of appetite, mood changes, insomnia, dry mouth, and headaches.

What is happening now?

The FDA convened an advisory panel to discuss how to evaluate Adderall safety and the safety of all ADHD medications in February 2006. Though this panel was not asked to make regulatory recommendations, the panel quickly ruled that a BLACK BOX WARNING, the strictest warning possible, should be added to Adderall and other ADHD medications to warn consumers about the serious risks of sudden death and adverse cardiovascular events. The FDA took no immediate action to add this warning to Adderall or similar ADHD drugs.

Have you suffered Adderall side effects?

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries you suspect were caused by Adderall, you may wish to confer with an attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options. The attorneys of Oshman & Mirisola are highly experienced in handling defective drug claims and are prepared to protect your legal rights. Please contact us today for a FREE CONSULTATION to learn more. You may be eligible to seek compensation for your medical expenses, other losses, and suffering.

Hope I have helped . Even thou I am not a Doctor trying to find out info to help .
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