Adderall (ADD drug) pulled from market in Canada

[Waenara]

I’m not sure if this is the right forum for this thread, but I don’t know if it’s a debate, and it’s not a pitting.

Health Canada has pulled Adderall from the market, after several deaths in people taking the drug (including children) were reported.

Health Canada is informing Canadians that it has instructed Shire BioChem Inc., the manufacturer of ADDERALL XR® to withdraw the drug from the Canadian market. Health Canada has suspended the market authorization of the product due to safety information concerning the association of sudden deaths, heart-related deaths, and strokes in children and adults taking usual recommended doses of ADDERALL® and ADDERALL XR®.

<snip>

Health Canada’s decision comes as a result of a thorough review of safety information provided by the manufacturer, which indicated there were 20 international reports of sudden death in patients taking either ADDERALL® (sold in the United States, not in Canada) or ADDERALL XR® (sold in Canada). These deaths were not associated with overdose, misuse or abuse. Fourteen deaths occurred in children, and six deaths in adults. There were 12 reports of stroke, two of which occurred in children. None of the reported deaths or strokes occurred in Canada.

<snip>

Health Canada has asked manufacturers of other related stimulants approved for the treatment of ADHD to provide a thorough review of their worldwide safety data. Information updates will be provided by Health Canada as they become available.

Patients taking drugs of the same class for the management of ADHD should NOT discontinue their medication, and should consult with their physician if they have any concerns or questions.

ADDERALL XR®, a Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant, was approved in Canada on January 23, 2004 for the management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.

[ratatoskK]

Wow, that’s pretty important. A lot of people (children) take it here in the U.S. (not mine). I wonder what the comparative statistics are for other medications in that class?

[Waenara]

@ratatoskK

Wow, that’s pretty important. A lot of people (children) take it here in the U.S. (not mine). I wonder what the comparative statistics are for other medications in that class?

I’m not sure how this will impact other ADHD drugs. I found a medication comparison chart on this webpage - click on the link where it says 14. Stimulant Medication Management Chart - there’s a PDF comparison chart.

The active ingredient in Adderall is mixed salts of amphetamine (Dextroamphetamine and Levoamphetamine), whereas Dexedrine is made from Dextroamphetamine alone, and the other drugs (Ritalin, Methylin, Metadate , Focalin, and Concerta) are all methylphenidate.

Health Canada has only pulled Adderall at this time.

Dexedrine seems to be the most similar to Adderall, and the other drugs all have a different active ingredient. But, from my OP, they’ve said that

Health Canada has asked manufacturers of other related stimulants approved for the treatment of ADHD to provide a thorough review of their worldwide safety data. Information updates will be provided by Health Canada as they become available.