Off Label Drug Use

Off Label Drug Use

Off Label Drug Use

Off label drug use involves prescribing drugs by the physicians for an approved indication. The FDA has approved the use of drugs off label. Off label drug use has become common and research has shown that it has risen by approximately 31% (Radley, 2006). The rise in the use of off label has been because most drugs are not tested for safety especially in children. Hence pediatricians prescribe off label drugs. This prescription is also common in cardiac medications and is also commonly used as anticonvulsants. However, off label drug use is not scientifically supported or has very little scientific support(Radley, 2006). Adderall is a drug that can be abused hence it is a federally controlled drug.

Amphetamine is a drug prescribed for treating attention deficient hyperactive disorders (ADHD) in adults and children. It works by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain leasing to increased levels of attention and prolonged concentration time. There has been an increase in the abuse of the same when it is used off label. College students are abusing it by using it as a study drug and this is posing a great threat. The drug is prescribed off label by physicians to patients suffering from depression. It is also used to suppress appetite in people who wish to loose weight. Adderall was widely used as a speed drug to loose weight. Many health care providers have prescribed it as a weight loss medicine.. Though FDA disapproved its use as a weight loss medicine in 2007, the use of addenall as a treatment to obesity has increased of late due to modern society's obsession of keeping fit. Methamphetamine which is sold under the brand name Desoxyn is however approved for the treatment of obesity. Though addenall has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a drug for treating obesity, it is legal and therefore doctors have been prescribing it as an off label medication. The use of addenall has been popularized due to its quick and drastic effects. Obesity is a common condition and it has become a great threat especially to young children. This has affected many children leading to severe health problems before they are 10 years old. Therefore doctors are prescribing it as an off label drug to treat this condition and avoid diabetes (England, 2007). Teenage obesity has also increased and this has made them susceptible to type 2 diabetes. Obesity has also had a psychological impact on these teens as they are usually bullied, made fun of and harassed. This reduces their self esteem. But the use of addenall as a treatment to weight loss has remained controversial. Dr Fuad Ziai who is a pediatric endocrinologist was in the news and he publicly supported use of addenall as a weight loss drug. He reported that of the 800 children and teenagers whom he prescribed the drug to, almost 90 % have lost weight (Cohen, 2007). This has raised many concerns especially on ethical grounds from the media, parents and also medical practitioners. The following case study explore the off label use of Amphetamine (Aderall)for obese teenagers

Case study

An obese teenager presents himself to his doctor with a severe case of diabetes. He is 13 years old, weighs 40 pounds and some blood tests previously carried out on him shows that he is bound to have type two diabetes. The teenager has been active physically, has been working out well and his diet has been healthy.

I am a 17 years old obese teenager who has been trying all the available ways of loosing weight without success. I started being obese when I was five years old and my parents took me to several pediatricians who advised us that the only solution to lose weight was to eat a well balanced healthy meal. They tried their best but my weight kept on increasing. I have suffered a lot of humiliation, mockery and harassment in school due to my overweight.

Mr. V has taken other drugs and products like pyruvate, laxatives, diuretic drugs and diet pills which has not been effective in improving his condition.

Problem: 17 year old male patient, physician order for Amphetamine (Addenall)which is an off label medication.

Comparison: Compared to no drug treatment

Intervention: administer the medication or not

Outcome: the patient will demonstrate improved weight loss, reduced appetite and increased body metabolism and reduced vulnerability to type two diabetes.

Question: Given the information in the case study, will the administration of Amphetamine (Aderall)be safe and effective for this 17 year old young man?

There are many studies which have been carried out and which have shown that there is a relationship between Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and obesity. But there has not been any scientific study that has been carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of using adderall as a weight loss medication. Therefore it becomes risky and dangerous to prescribe this drug for treating obesity. Evidence shows that obese people have a high prevalence of ADHD. ADHD leads to obesity through abnormal eating behaviors. The impulsivity that is associated with spree eating in obese patients has been shown to cause ADHD (Cortese, 2008). The latest statistics shows that around 58 million Americans are overweight, 40 million are obese and 3 million are morbidly obese. The high numbers of obese people means that the risk of having health problems is high. Therefore, a link exists between ADHD and obesity. This means that taking adderall for treatment of ADHD, leads to a reduction in weight loss and therefore reduced prevalence to obesity. Other studies have however shown that use of these stimulant medications to treat ADHD has led to sudden death in children and adolescents and these deaths are unexplainable. But the researchers who carried out this study stressed to both parents and doctors that this was not a cause to stop using adderall. This study was carried out by comparing of children and adolescents and also interviewing the parents of those who had died. It concentrated on the deaths of teenagers between 1985 and 1996.

POST COMMENT

Order discount prescription drugs How Ultram Treats Fibromyalgia Pain Guide Methods - Where you might get Them to Have an Excellent Medical Transcriptionist Job Medical Malpractice Suit Anesthesia Medical Malpractice Diarrhea Treatment: OVER-THE-COUNTER Plus Prescription drugs Elimination Regarding Diarrhea Natural Remedies for Depression Are Safer Than Prescription Drugs How To Determine Whether You Need An Illinois Medical Malpractice Lawyer The Healing Process through a Drug Rehab Long Island Can Offer Tips To Get Organized Before Taking on a Medically Related Case Pain Reducing Medicines Are Highly Addictive Medical transcription companies in India are in demand Drug Rehab – Getting Help in The United Kingdom