'Black Box' Warning Over Effects of Ritalin
by Matt Barnwell

A drug widely prescribed to calm hyperactive children in Britain should carry the most serious type of warning label, a panel of experts in the United States said yesterday.

Ritalin and other stimulants used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder should carry the "black box" warning to inform doctors, patients and parents of the risk they may pose to the cardiovascular system.

The American advice suggested a link between the drugs and an increased risk of "sudden deaths" and serious cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks.

There are 25 reported deaths of people treated with the medicines between 1999 and 2003 in the US, 19 of them children. A further 54 suffered serious cardiovascular problems including heart attack, stroke, hypertension, palpitation an arrhythmia, said the FDA.

More than 200,00 children were prescribed methylphenidate drugs in 2001, said the Department of Health Figures. The Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said methylphenidates carried warnings that doctors and pharmacists would consider before dispensing for children.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp, the makers of Ritalin, said last night that the drug was both safe and effective.
The Daily Telegraph, 11th February 2006