The FDA continues to receive reports that the ADHD drug Strattera (atomoxetine), is causing serious liver injury and deaths, in spite of the BOLD TYPE WARNING in the drug insert. Strattera, which is manufactured by Eli Lilly & Co, was approved by the FDA for ADHD in November 2002, for adults and children aged 6 years and above.
The Strattera label does have a BLACK BOX WARNING about the increased risk of SUICIDE in adolescents and children taking the drug. Unfortunately, this does not seem to deter doctors from prescribing it to unaware or uniformed parents who are frequently pressured by teachers to put their kids on the drugs. Between 2002 and 2007, about 3.3 million people were prescribed Strattera, and over 2 million were children under 18 years old.
Drug induced liver injury is the most common reason for acute liver failure in the United States. A drug may cause chemical damage to liver cells which can result in serious injury to the liver and may cause death. Signs of liver damage include nausea, jaundice, vomiting, bleeding, abdominal pain or mental confusion. Kidney failure may also be present in some cases.
In 2004 the warning label for Strattera was updated to indicate that it could cause severe liver injury, which may progress to liver failure resulting in death or the need for a liver transplant in a small number of patients.
However, as with most drugs, as long as Strattera cannot be definitely linked to more than 100 deaths, the FDA will most likely leave it on the market and simply recommend that healthcare providers and patients taking it watch for symptoms of depondency, depression, nausea, jaundice, vomiting, bleeding, abdominal pain or mental confusion, or death, which could be signs of liver toxicity or kidney failure.
Perhaps, on the other hand, any drug with a BOLD TYPE WARNING or a BLACK BOX WARNING, SHOULD BE AVOIDED LIKE THE BLACK PLAGUE, ARSENIC, OR A 3 ALARM FIRE.
Dr. Hansen simply says “Don’t do drugs!” There are safe and effective natural alternatives to Straterra, Ritalin, Adderall, Cylert, and all the others.
For more information about ADHD and the natural alternatives, click here.