Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects one’s ability to focus and concentrate. In many cases involving young children, ADHD can affect a child’s ability to stay seated and learn in the classroom. One of the most commonly-prescribed ADHD drugs is known as Ritalin and is manufactured by drug maker Novartis Corporation. Ritalin was prescribed to millions of children over the past two decades and has since come under increased scrutiny due to the presence of adverse side effects in ADHD patients.
ADHD is a condition that causes inattentiveness, over-activity, impulsiveness or any combination of these afflictions. Approximately 3-5% of school-age children are diagnosed with ADHD each year making it the most common childhood condition. The condition is treated with a combination of goal-oriented therapy and powerful drugs known as psychostimulants. While labeled as stimulants, these drugs often have the opposite effect on patients and produce a calmer and more organized persona. The most common ADHD drugs are Ritalin, Adderall, Strattera, Focalin, Dexedrine, Vyvanse and Concerta.
Use of ADHD drugs has been linked with sudden death, stroke, heart conditions, drug dependence and a host of other symptoms. Ritalin has been particularly targeted as a drug that is over-prescribed and under-monitored. Beginning in the late 1980’s, lawsuits have mounted against the makers of Ritalin including claims that ADHD was a manufactured disease designed to entice parents to over-medicate their children.
Parents have filed suit against many different ADHD drugs claiming the powerful chemicals made their children suicidal, violent or withdrawn. Subsequent legal action taken by concerned parents has cited substantial disturbances in the pituitary, gastrointestinal and nervous systems leading to devastating injuries to children. Makers of Ritalin and other ADHD drugs adamantly deny that they fraudulently perpetuated ADHD onto the drug market and insist that their drugs are in no related to the side effects present in children exposed to psychostimulants.