The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the public about the dangerous effect of most ADHD drugs in the market. The agency also called on manufacturers to start reflecting this risk on the drug’s label.
A class of ADHD medications were found out to cause priapism, a condition in which the person suffers from painful penile erections. The ADHD drugs believed to cause this disorder are those which contain methylphenidate which also affects the central nervous system.
Brands which carry this ingredient are Concerta, Ritalin, Daytrana, Focalin, Metadate, Quillivant, and Methylin. If left untreated, priapism may lead to permanent damage to the penis. Another ADHD medication, Stratter was also linked to cause priapism to adults, teens, and children.
"There have been very few case reports on this adverse effect in association with drugs to treat ADHD," says Victoria Richards, associate professor of medical sciences from the Quinnipiac University in North Haven, Conn. to Healthday.
"Although the effect is rare, the warning will at least draw attention to the potentially dangerous connection, not only in light of improved recognition and diagnosing of ADHD, but also in the misuse/abuse of those stimulant drugs," she added.
Priapism is seen to be more prevalent in patients who are taking Strattera than those who are given methylphenidate-based drugs. However, the FDA cannot conclude how many patients have suffered from priapism by taking either kind of drugs.
This disorder may cause any male regardless of age and the federal agency instructs doctors to make sure that they inform the patients of this side effect before prescribing any ADHD medication. It is also imperative for doctors to use their best judgement when instructing patients to switch from methylphenidate to Strattera. Patients are also discouraged from discontinuing the use of methylphenidate without consulting with their doctor first.
Priapism happens when the blood travelling to the penis becomes trapped which makes the erection abnormally long-lasting and very painful.
