Wednesday, July 01, 2009
"Off
label" means that the drug is being used for a purpose which it was not
designed. The safety and efficacy of these drugs has not been studied
in regard to these "off label" uses. Many of the drugs we give our
children have never been tested for children. Children are NOT merely
little adults! Over the counter (OTC) cough medicine, which many parents believe to be safe, has been shown to be ineffective and even harmful!
Two recent examples:
- Risperdal - An antipsychotic used "off label" in children with
ADD/ADHD symptoms. This was never studied in children, and has
resulted in some young boys acquiring gynecomastia. There are few drugs that have been tested on the pediatric population
, though parents, and some doctors, are unaware of this fact. I know I
don't want my kids to be the Guinea Pigs for the Pharmaceutical
companies.
- Adderall
- This Central Nervous System stimulant is approved to help those with
an ADD/ADHD diagnosis concentrate more easily. This drug is also used
for those with depression. Adderall is most often used "off label" and
illegally by college students as a study aid to cram for exams. This is
often looked as OK by both parents and doctors, though the
physiological and neurological effects of this drug are indisputable,
and we do not know the long term outcomes of this sort of off label use.
Prescription drug abuse is growing to be a larger problem than
"illegal" drug use in the United States. This does not surprise me too
much, as our society often tells kids that any problem they have can be
fixed with a drug. There is a poster in my office showing a mischievous
looking child that states "We tell our kids it is OK to take a drug for
anything that comes along...then we wonder where drug addiction begins."
We need to be careful with how we use drugs in this society. The
idea that a drug is a problem solver is a dangerous idea that is
perpetuated by pharmaceutical companies, the medical community, and
even parents who truly want what is best for their children, but don't
know another way.
Health is not found in a pill. There are other options. There is hope for our children. THAT is what this blog is about!