Adderall XR Drug Warning

Q. My son is taking Adderal XR 15 mg per day. With Canada pulling it from the market for risk of stroke and sudden death, I'm concerned that we should stop my son's medicine also. My son is 9 years old and was diagnosed last year with non specific platelet dysfunction. He has enough platelets they just don't work like they should to clot his blood. I'm concerned that his risk for a stroke could be elevated. Is this the case and should we stop his Adderall? Renee, Conneaut Lake, PA

A. Although Health Canada had suspended the sale of Adderall and Adderall XR, it is important to keep in mind that the FDA has stated that 'when one considers the rate of sudden death in pediatric patients treated with Adderall products based on the approximately 30 million prescriptions written between 1999 and 2003 (the period of time in which these deaths occurred), it does not appear that the number of deaths reported is greater than the number of sudden deaths that would be expected to occur in this population without treatment.'

And since that initial suspension, Adderall XR has been allowed back on the market in Canada.

The FDA does still advise that children should not take Adderall if they have:

• A heart defect
• Other heart problems, including high blood pressure, and heart or blood vessel disease
• Overactive thyroid
• Glaucoma
• A history of drug abuse
• Depression and are taking, or have recently stopped taking, an Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI), such as Nardil (phenelzine sulfate), Parnate (tranylcypromine sulfate), Marplan (isocarboxid), and other brands.

I'm not sure if his platelet dysfunction would count as a blood vessel disease. The FDA advisory and the prescribing information sheet doesn't mention platelet problems as a contraindication for taking Adderall or Adderall XR.

There is some contact information available on the FDA Adderall Patient Information Sheet, and you might call or email them to see what they say. Discussing this with your Pediatrician and Hematologist might also be helpful.

You might also contact the manufacturer, Shire Pharmaceuticals, and ask them.