Costs like 4-600$ though. My next big purchase is going to be a record player.
Depends upon generic predisposition. There is no difference between an adult taking 5mg dextroamphetamine and a child/adolescent taking the same 5mg, if anything the child will be less prone to arrhythmia as less subclinical damage from aging would be present. In therapeutic dosages, amphetamines can marginally increase resting heart rate (3-12bpm) and transiently increase diastolic and systolic blood pressure, though the alteration is rarely significant enough to induce hypertension.
Systemic vasoconstriction can also be deemed of concern, but one again excessive oxidative stress + damage mediated from intensive systemic vasoconstriction/catecholamine overload is typically only of concern with high dosages. MIMS for Dextroamphetamine lists up to 60 mg/day.
Yes, cardiovascular issues are of concern; particularly if you have pre-existing cardiac defects/pathologies. However rigorously backed bodies of literature indicate for a healthy individual, low dose amphetamine use is relatively safe and doesn’t have a statistically significant effect on all cause cardiovascular mortality rates.
As to the study you’ve listed.
- average age was only 10-12 years old. These are children
- methylphenidate isn’t “amphetamines”, it is a stimulant/more or less an NDRI.
Here’s some data regarding outcomes associated with stimulant use based upon age
Indicates those treated with stimulants have a higher penchant for showcasing depressive symptoms down the line, but display less severe symptomatology associated with ADHD and a sharp reduction in youth related recreational drug use. Part of the diagnostic criteria that encompasses ADHD/ADD includes impulsive behaviour. Those with ADD/ADHD are far more likely to experiment with hard drugs in comparison to those not afflicted with this condition.
There is some data to indicate methylphenidate in particular may negatively alter cortical plasticity/induce long lasting neurodevelopmental alterations that may serve as both a benefit and a detriment for the patient. I’d argue “fine, switch meds” or “if the kid really has ADHD/ADD perhaps the benefit of transforming him/her into a functional member of society outweighs any percieved (likely small/minute) risk”.
As to kids selling ADHD/ADD meds… This happens… All the fucking time and it’s a problem. At the same time, speed is also sold on the street (amphetamine sulphate that’s been cut to shit), as is methamphetamine. Both are really common in Aus. I’d prefer Bill take a tablet of Johnnie’s Adderall than buy the alternative off the street. Bill probably won’t become dependent or addicted from one (low dose) tablet every now and again. On the other hand it’s easy to become amphetamine dependant if you’re buying grams at a time off the street.
Neither scenario is a good one, but from a perspective of “how much harm will this induce”, it’s unlikely someone popping an occasional pill to aid in studying will amount to much more than the occasional unproductive cram before a test. That being said I do know someone who became dependent on… I want to say dextroamphetamine within college as he had virtually unrestricted access (this was back in the day, like during the 1980s).
The growth suppression is typically within the 1-2 cm range (under an inch, sometimes under half an inch) and if I recall data seems to suggest the growth retardation is reversible if the use of stimulants is halted prior to the child’s epiphyseal plates fusing.
Debatable, it isn’t as potent; though the side effect profile is far more tolerable. Side effects I notice from dextroamphetamine are
- stunted appetite
- insomnia (if I dose late in the day)
- hyperhidrosis
- irritability (crashing) if I take subsequent days in a row, then stop taking them suddenly.
- elevated heart rate (note I have IST, a type of dysautonomia)
I’d hands down trial modafinil as a replacement. If it was effective I’d choose that over amphetamines any day of the year.
An interesting note, in the USA methamphetamine hydrochloride is approved for treatment of severe ADHD. It isn’t typically prescribed due to cardiovascular concern/neurotoxicity. The doses used are small, somewhere around the 5-10mg/day range if I recall correctly. Now THIS I’d be up in arms about if they were giving it to children.
I’ll certainly check this out. To note, I have ADHD (backed by recurrent evaluations); was diagnosed as a child. Adequate/well tolerated treatments for ADD/ADHD have yet to come around. Current era first line treatments revolve around stimulant meds, particularly amphetamines, NDRI’s, but certain SNRI’s alpha 2a adrenergic receptor agonists (guanfacine) etc also exist as second line treatments. Australia generally tends to be a few years behind modern era treatments for numerous medical conditions including neurodevelopmental disorders so newer medications such as modafinil, dexmethylphenidate etc aren’t available here.