Product News and Recalls

Officials See Rise in Emergency Room Visits Related to Prescription Stimulant Use

A recent NY Times article discusses a recent trend that shows an increase in the number of emergency room visits as a result of the use of prescription stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin. According to data gathered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a branch of the Department of Health and Human Services, emergency rooms have seen a dramatic increase in the number of visits related to prescription stimulants.

The number of emergency room visits related to stimulants rose from 5,600 in 2005 to 23,000 in 2011 in people ages 18-34 according to the data with an even more drastic rise in people ages 18-25. Officials have been unable to pinpoint the causes of the increase but associate the increase with a broader pattern of negative health and side effects from prescription drug abuse.

One theory about the increase comes from people’s access to these types of prescription drugs. Officials stated that many of the people using these drugs got them from friends or relatives and many got the drugs free of charge. Officials theorize that this misuse is driving the increase in emergency room visits. Many prescription drugs have dangerous side effects and when taken improperly which can lead to serious health problems.

Lopez McHugh is currently litigating cases related to the dangerous side effects of many prescription drugs including Lipitor, Pradaxa, Byetta, Januvia, Yaz, Yasmin, Oscella, Zoloft, and others. If you believe that you or a loved one has been injured as a result of the use of a prescription drug, please contact Lopez McHugh for a free evaluation.