Side Effects of ADHD Drugs

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) categorizes ADHD drugs in the same class of highly addictive drugs as cocaine and morphine and can cause “severe psychological dependence.”

Common brand name stimulants, also known as ADHD drugs, include Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, Metadate, Vyvanse, Provigil.

To see the total figures from IQVia on the number of people taking ADHD drugs in the U.S., click here.

Please note: No one should attempt to get off of psychiatric drugs without doctor’s supervision. To help find medical practitioners in your area, click here.

ADHD Drug Warnings:
There have been 61 warnings from nine countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom and United States) warning that ADHD drugs cause harmful side effects. These include the following (note that some warnings cite more than one side effect, so the list below may not be equal to the total number of warnings):

  • 23 warnings on ADHD drugs causing cardiovascular disorders
  • 10 warnings on ADHD drugs causing death or sudden death
  • 10 warnings on ADHD drugs causing heart problems
  • 10 warnings on ADHD drugs causing mania or psychosis
  • 9 warnings on ADHD drugs causing skin conditions
  • 6 warnings on ADHD drugs causing allergic reactions
  • 6 warnings on ADHD drugs causing depression
  • 6 warnings on ADHD drugs causing eye problems
  • 6 warnings on ADHD drugs causing hallucinations
  • 6 warnings on ADHD drugs causing hostility or aggression
  • 6 warnings on ADHD drugs causing involuntary movements
  • 5 warnings on ADHD drugs causing addiction or dependence
  • 5 warnings on ADHD drugs causing suicide risk or attempts
  • 4 warnings on ADHD drugs causing anxiety
  • 4 warnings on ADHD drugs causing seizures or convulsions
  • 3 warnings on ADHD drugs causing agitation
  • 3 warnings on ADHD drugs causing drug abuse
  • 3 warnings on ADHD drugs causing heart attacks
  • 3 warnings on ADHD drugs causing liver problems
  • 3 warnings on ADHD drugs causing stroke
  • 2 warnings on ADHD drugs causing abnormal behavior
  • 2 warnings on ADHD drugs causing irritability
  • 2 warnings on ADHD drugs causing sleep problems
  • 1 warning on ADHD drugs causing blood pressure changes
  • 1 warning on ADHD drugs causing nervous system disorders
  • 1 warning on ADHD drugs causing stunted growth

    ADHD Drug Studies:
  • There are 40 studies from 16 countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom and United States) showing that ADHD drugs cause harmful side effects. These include the following (note that some studies cite more than one side effect, so the list below may not be equal to the total number of studies):
  • 12 studies on ADHD drugs causing cardiovascular disorders
  • 7 studies on ADHD drugs causing heart problems
  • 6 studies on ADHD drugs causing lack of efficacy
  • 4 studies on ADHD drugs causing sleep problems
  • 3 studies on ADHD drugs causing blood pressure changes
  • 3 studies on ADHD drugs causing stunted growth
  • 2 studies on ADHD drugs causing abnormal behavior
  • 2 studies on ADHD drugs causing sudden death
  • 2 studies on ADHD drugs causing drug abuse
  • 2 studies on ADHD drugs causing heart attacks
  • 2 studies on ADHD drugs causing lowered bone mass
  • 1 study on ADHD drugs causing cognitive impairment
  • 1 study on ADHD drugs causing hallucinations
  • 1 study on ADHD drugs causing homicidal ideation
  • 1 study on ADHD drugs causing involuntary movements
  • 1 study on ADHD drugs causing irritability
  • 1 study on ADHD drugs causing mania or psychosis
  • 1 study on ADHD drugs causing nervous system disorders
  • 1 study on ADHD drugs causing stroke
  • 1 study on ADHD drugs causing suicide risk or attempts
  • 1 study on ADHD drugs causing violence
  • 1 study on ADHD drugs causing withdrawal reactions

Top Reactions for All Ages: 
There have been 17,021 Adverse Drug Reactions in connection with ADHD drugs/stimulants that have been reported to the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (MedWatch), between 2004 and 2012.

The FDA estimates that less than 1% of all serious events are ever reported to it, so the actual number of side effects occurring are most certainly higher.

  • 1,837 cases of the drug being ineffective
  • 1,069 cases of insomnia
  • 1,032 cases of headaches
  • 731 cases of aggression
  • 693 cases of anxiety
  • 661 cases of nausea
  • 631 cases of decreased appetite
  • 623 cases of abnormal behavior
  • 607 cases of depression
  • 560 cases of suicidal ideation

Documented Side Effects of ADHD Drugs:
Source: Physicians Desk Reference, National Institutes of Health’s Medline Plus, and/or the drug label.

  • Aggression/hostility
  • Agitation
  • Blood pressure changes
  • Changes in vision or blurred vision
  • Depression
  • Dizziness or faintness
  • Fever
  • Hallucinations
  • Heart attack
  • Hives
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Impotence
  • Increased irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Involuntary tics/twitching
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Liver problems
  • Loss of appetite
  • Mania
  • Mental/mood changes
  • Muscle/joint tightness
  • Nausea
  • Nervousness
  • Painful menstruation
  • Psychosis
  • Restlessness
  • Seizures
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Slow/difficult speech
  • Stomach pain
  • Stroke
  • Stunted growth
  • Sudden death
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Swelling of face or throat
  • Tourette’s Syndrome
  • Toxic psychosis
  • Unusual bleeding/bruising
  • Unusual sadness/crying
  • Violent behavior
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss
  • “Zombie” demeanor

Note: Side effects of psychiatric drugs can persist for months, if not years, after stopping them.

Side Effects of Common Psychiatric Drugs

DOWNLOAD

This brochure is an overview of the side effects of common psychiatric drugs and includes information on drug regulatory agency warnings, studies and other reports that may not appear in the packaging information for the drugs.

It is a simple guide that documents the dangerous and deadly side effects of the drugs prescribed to millions of men, women and children diagnosed with bogus mental disorders.

Download the booklet here >>

Also visit the Psychiatric Drug Side Effects Search Engine for advanced searches on specific psychiatric drugs

Reference and Source from: https://www.cchrint.org/psychiatric-drugs/stimulantsideeffects/