Posted by catachrest on February 15, 2005, at 8:19:54
In reply to Re: Adderall XR pulled in Canada » theo, posted by Optimist on February 13, 2005, at 23:37:57
Hi there,
This is the advisory posted on Health Canada's website (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca) in the form of a health professionals letter.
February 9, 2005
Subject: Health Canada has suspended market authorization of ADDERALL XRTM (amphetamine salts), a drug approved for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.
Dear Health Care Professional,
Health Canada advises you that marketing of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) drug, ADDERALL XRTM (amphetamine salts) has been suspended effective February 9, 2005. ADDERALL XRTM, marketed by Shire BioChem Inc., is a prescription drug that was authorized in Canada for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.
Health Canada's decision to withdraw ADDERALL XRTM is founded on very rare, international, spontaneous reports of sudden deaths, in paediatric and adult patients in association with ADDERALL® (immediate release) and ADDERALL XRTM (extended release). Reports for death include those for patients taking usual recommended doses, including recommended starting doses, of ADDERALL® and ADDERALL XRTM. In a minority of cases, the events occurred on the first day of dosing or shortly after an increase in dose or a switch from another drug in the structural class. Deaths were reported for patients both naïve or chronically exposed to amphetamine-related Central Nervous System stimulants. This decision was not based on reported deaths that were associated with overdose, misuse or abuse. Of the 20 reported deaths, there were cases that occurred in patients without a documented history of structural or other cardiac abnormalities/disease. In a few cases, other drugs, including anti-depressants, clonidine and/or anti-psychotics, were concomitant medications. Exercise was an associated event in some of the reports of death. None of the reported deaths occurred in Canada.
Health Canada is aware of 20 international reports of sudden death in patients taking either ADDERALL® (immediate release) or ADDERALL XRTM (extended release) with 3.45 million patient-years of exposure. 14 deaths occurred in children, and 6 deaths in adults. ADDERALL XRTM has been marketed in Canada since January 23, 2004, while the immediate release form of ADDERALL® has never been marketed in Canada.
A preliminary review of safety data for the other stimulants authorized for use in the treatment of ADHD in Canada has been conducted. The incidence of serious adverse reactions leading to death was higher in ADDERALL®/ADDERALL XRTM than in the other stimulants, based upon these reviews. In addition, the safety information submitted to Health Canada also included 12 reported cases of stroke, with 2 occurring in children.
Health Canada has requested manufacturers of other stimulants approved for the treatment of ADHD provide a thorough review of their worldwide safety data. Information updates will be provided as they become available.
Health Canada reminds physicians of the following wording currently contained in Product Monographs of all drugs indicated for the management of ADHD: "[X] is indicated as an integral part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include other measures (psychological, educational, social) for patients with this syndrome. Drug treatment may not be indicated for all patients with this syndrome. Drug treatment is not intended for use in the patient who exhibits symptoms secondary to environmental factors and/or other primary psychiatric disorders, including psychosis. Appropriate educational placement is essential in children and adolescents with this diagnosis and psychosocial intervention is often helpful. When remedial measures alone are insufficient, the decision to prescribe drug treatment medication will depend upon the physician's assessment of the chronicity and severity of the patient's symptoms."
The identification, characterization, and management of marketed health product-related adverse reactions are dependent on the active participation of health care professionals in adverse reaction reporting programmes. Any occurrences of cardiac or other serious and/or unexpected adverse reactions in patients receiving ADHD treatments should be reported to Health Canada at the following address:
Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program (CADRMP)
Marketed Health Products Directorate
HEALTH CANADA
Address Locator: 0701C
OTTAWA, Ontario, K1A 0K9
Tel: (613) 957-0337 or Fax: (613) 957-0335
To report an Adverse Reaction, consumers and health professionals may call toll free:
Tel: 866 234-2345
Fax: 866 678-6789
cadrmp@hc-sc.gc.caFor other inquiries: please refer to contact information:
Bureau of Cardiology, Allergy and Neurological Sciences
E-mail: bcans_enquiries@hc-sc.gc.ca
Tel: (613) 941-1499
Fax.: (613) 941-1668The AR Reporting Form and the AR Guidelines can be found on the Health Canada web site or in The Canadian Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties.
poster:catachrest
thread:456070
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050212/msgs/458057.html