ADHD Drugs Increase Emergency Room Visits

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) has reported that drugs prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) were behind a quadrupled number of young adults sent to emergency rooms for adverse reactions in 2011. Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine are just a few of the trade names used for these drugs, which are stimulants. According to SAMSHA, approximately 5,600 emergency room visits related to ADHD drugs occurred in 2005. That number jumped to almost 23,000 in 2011. The age group studied was those from 18 to 34 but the largest increase in emergency room visits occurred among 18 to 25 year-olds. The drugs involved included Ritalin, Adderall, Strattera, Vyvanse, and their generics.

Prescriptions for ADHD drugs have radically increased overall, per other sources. IMS Health, which is a company that provides information to the health care industry, has reported that prescriptions for ADHD drugs increased 39 percent between the years 2007 and 2011. 48.4 million of these prescriptions were written by health care providers in 2011. This included almost 14,000 new prescriptions every month. SAMSHA has warned that use of these drugs can lead to heart and blood vessel damage as well as addiction. In a recent case, a college medical student committed suicide after become addicted to Adderall, an amphetamine-based drug. The story was reported in February of this year by the New York Times.

Seattle Personal Injury Attorney

Suffering harm or injury from a dangerous prescription drug may be grounds for a personal injury case or a wrongful death case in situations where the patient has died. No one expects to be damaged physically or mentally from prescription drugs but news reports concerning this phenomenon have been occurring more and more in recent decades. Many drugs are rushed to the market without proper clinical trials or with information suppressed about the potential harm they can cause. When a drug's potential side effects outweigh its benefits, it may lead to a product liability case in which negligence on the part of the manufacturer or distributor can be shown.

If you or a family member has been harmed by the use of a prescription medicine or defective medical device, you should consult a qualified attorney. In Seattle, Ward Smith PLLC is a personal injury and wrongful death law firm that represents clients harmed in traffic accidents, through medical malpractice, elder abuse, dog attacks, railroad accidents, premises liability, and other negligence-based incidents. The legal team has more than 50 years of combined experience and is equipped with the skills needed to aggressively and effectively pursue your claim or lawsuit. The firm has achieved a 10 out of 10 "Superb" rating by Avvo as well as inclusion in Washington's Super Lawyers. Contact the firm to discuss your case with an experienced attorney today.