Dexedrine is an amphetamine that, since the 1930s, has had a history of misuse, and along with other ‘recreational’ drugs, is classified as a controlled substance.
Despite this, it is still regularly prescribed to children with attention deficit disorder (ADHD). In fact, it is seen as the second-best option if Ritalin fails to work.
Street-smart children may feel this is a pretty good outcome, as the value of the drug in the playground may seriously add to the pocket money coffers.
Sadly, these heady days may soon be a thing of the past. GlaxoSmithKline, Dexedrine’s manufacturer, has been forced to point out that, among other things, the drug may kill you. Children with a heart condition have died suddenly while on the drug, and any misuse of the drug may also result in death.
The warning may come as a bit of a jolt to doctors who have been happily prescribing the drug to children for years. A quick trawl of the Web reveals comments from doctors ranging from ‘well-tolerated’ to ‘quick and easy – one dose a day does the trick’.
Ah, innocent days.
(Source: FDA website).
E-news broadcast 24 August 2006 No.286 [
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