Rate of Drug Uptake Impacts Likelihood of Abuse

Rate of Drug Uptake Impacts Likelihood of Abuse

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Results of a new study found
that an extended-release form of methylphenidate -- sold as CONCERTA®
(methylphenidate HCl in the OROS® delivery system) may be associated with a
lower likelihood of abuse than immediate-release methylphenidate (sold as
Ritalin®). The findings were presented today at a meeting of child and
adolescent psychiatrists.

"The abuse of prescription stimulant medications is a growing concern among
physicians who prescribe these medications to treat Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and parents of children and teens who rely on
these treatments to restore normal function," said Edward Sellers, MD, PhD,
an investigator on this study and Professor of Pharmacology, Medicine and
Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. "Our study suggests that slowing
the rate of drug delivery through the extended-release OROS® technology may
decrease the likelihood of abuse."
The study, which evaluated 49 healthy adults with a history of light
(occasional) recreational stimulant use, measured likeability using multiple
scales which measured abuse-related effects, including Addiction Research
Center Inventory, Drug Rating Questionnaire and Subjective Drug Value
Procedure. These scales measured positive (liking or enjoyment), negative
(dysphoric or disliking) and stimulant (related to reinforcement) effects.
The study found that immediate-release methylphenidate produced greater
subjective abuse-related effects than placebo and CONCERTA®. In addition, a
therapeutic dose of CONCERTA® (54 mg) was similar to placebo on most
abuse-related measures tested. Overall, the study suggests that CONCERTA® is
less likely to produce abuse-related subjective effects, such as "highs" or
"euphoria", possibly due to a slower and extended rate of release of
methylphenidate.

CONCERTA® has a unique formulation utilizing the OROS® technology that makes
it less easily abused than other formulations of methylphenidate without
compromising the effectiveness of the medication. The formulation of
CONCERTA® is difficult to convert to an abusable form of methylphenidate.
Under normal circumstances, the CONCERTA® tablet is difficult to crush, and
the methylphenidate, the active ingredient in the CONCERTA® tablet, is
difficult to extract.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) invited McNeil Pediatrics
to discuss data on the abuse profile of CONCERTA® as part of an information
exchange session titled "Progress in Creating New Drug Formulations that
Discourage Tampering and Abuse." Patrick E. Ciccone, M.D., Vice President of
Medical Affairs at McNeil Pediatrics, presented data to support the low
likelihood of abusing CONCERTA® due to its compromise-resistant formulation
and gradual rate of absorption. Additionally, a study recently published in
the American Journal of Psychiatry in March 2006 concluded that CONCERTA®
may be less likely to be abused than immediate-release methylphenidate
drugs. Study participants taking therapeutic oral doses of CONCERTA® did not
report perceiving and enjoying the drug's subjective effects, features that
are associated with a medication's potential for abuse.

For more information about CONCERTA®, including full U.S. prescribing
information, please visit http://www.concerta.net/ , call 1-888-440-7903 or
contact your healthcare provider.

Important Safety Information

CONCERTA® should not be taken by patients with: significant anxiety,
tension, or agitation; allergies to methylphenidate or other ingredients in
CONCERTA®; glaucoma; Tourette's syndrome, tics, or family history of
Tourette's syndrome. Abuse of methylphenidate may lead to dependence. Tell
your healthcare professional if your child has had problems with alcohol or
drugs, has had depression, abnormal thoughts or visions, bipolar disorder,
seizures, high blood pressure or has had any heart problems or defects. If
your child develops abnormal thinking or hallucinations, abnormal, extreme
moods and/or excessive activity, or if aggressive behavior or hostility
develops or worsens while taking CONCERTA®, consult your healthcare
professional. The most common adverse events reported in children receiving
up to 54 mg were headache, upper respiratory tract infection and abdominal
pain. The most common adverse events reported by adolescents receiving up to
72 mg were headache, accidental injury and insomnia.

About McNeil Pediatrics

McNeil Pediatrics Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. is committed to meeting the
needs of pediatric medicine through the development of therapies
specifically formulated for children. Its leading pediatric product,
CONCERTA® (methylphenidate HCl) Extended-release Tablets, is a once-a-day
treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that uniquely
combines methylphenidate with an exclusive OROS® delivery system. CONCERTA®
is the number one ADHD prescribed medication in the U.S. for children and
adolescents. The company is continuing to explore other new therapies to
meet the special needs of children and the pediatric community.

Adderall® is a registered trademark of companies within the Shire group.

Ritalin® is a registered trademark of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: McNeil Pediatrics
~~~~~~~~~~~`

What they don't tell.

http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/concerta_review.htm

"Jan Drew" wrote in message
. ..
...

Source: McNeil Pediatrics

I think this says a lot about the reliability of this press release.

Jeff

"Jeff" wrote in message
link.net...

"Jan Drew" wrote in message
. ..
...

Source: McNeil Pediatrics

I think this says a lot about the reliability of this press release.

Jeff
So you think Concerta has many side effects.

Jeff wrote:
"Jan Drew" wrote in message
. ..
...

Source: McNeil Pediatrics

I think this says a lot about the reliability of this press release.

Perhaps. However, the reported findings, i.e., that the method of
ingestion of a substance, determines its "addictability" is quite
consistent with the extensive research conducted by Nora Volkow, et al
at State University of New York at Stony Brook and at Brookhaven
National Laboratories. Her team found that oral administration of MPH
did not have the same physiological effect on the brain as snorting the
same amount of the medication.

Nora Volkow is now the head of the National Institute of Drug Abuse, but
remains an active researcher in the field of the physiology of addiction.

"Mark Probert" wrote in message
news:77o1h.1762$Gg5.551@trndny02...
Jeff wrote:
"Jan Drew" wrote in message
. ..
...

Source: McNeil Pediatrics

I think this says a lot about the reliability of this press release.

Perhaps. However, the reported findings, i.e., that the method of
ingestion of a substance, determines its "addictability" is quite
consistent with the extensive research conducted by Nora Volkow, et al at
State University of New York at Stony Brook and at Brookhaven National
Laboratories. Her team found that oral administration of MPH did not have
the same physiological effect on the brain as snorting the same amount of
the medication.

Nora Volkow is now the head of the National Institute of Drug Abuse, but
remains an active researcher in the field of the physiology of addiction.

Correct, However, I am wondering if the differences found between Ritalin
and Concerta are functionally importnat. I mean, how much addictive
potential does Ritalin have when taken as directed? THere is a slow release
form of Ritalin (Ritalin SR), but I have never seen it advertised as a way
to reduce drug addiction.

Jeff

Poor Markey is once again posting to a thread by *me*. What happened to
your UDP?

"Mark Probert" wrote in message
news:77o1h.1762$Gg5.551@trndny02...
Jeff wrote:
"Jan Drew" wrote in message
. ..
...

Source: McNeil Pediatrics

I think this says a lot about the reliability of this press release.

Perhaps. However, the reported findings, i.e., that the method of
ingestion of a substance, determines its "addictability" is quite
consistent with the extensive research conducted by Nora Volkow, et al at
State University of New York at Stony Brook and at Brookhaven National
Laboratories. Her team found that oral administration of MPH did not have
the same physiological effect on the brain as snorting the same amount of
the medication.

Nora Volkow is now the head of the National Institute of Drug Abuse, but
remains an active researcher in the field of the physiology of addiction.

Nora D. Volkow, M.D

http://www.aidsaction.org/communicat...005/070805.htm


This Week in Washington
1. Senator John Breaux and American University Kick Off "Ceasefire on
Healthcare"
Wednesday, June 29, marked the kickoff of a discussion series on health care
presented by American University's Center for Congressional and Presidential
Studies and featuring former Senator John Breaux (D-LA). Funded by a grant
from Pfizer, Inc., the series will take place in venues around the country
as part of the "Ceasefire on Health Care" Campaign. According to a media
advisory issued by the campaign, the campaign aims to "put party difference
aside and focus on bipartisan solutions to the health care problems facing
our country." It "will examine important health care issues such as access
to health care, rising costs, and uninsured Americans."


2. Congressional Briefing on Crystal Methamphetamine
On Tuesday, June 28, Friends of NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), in
conjunction with the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control
Methamphetamine, sponsored a briefing for congressional staff, entitled
Methamphetamine Addiction: Cause for Concern - Hope for the Future. (The
National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse defines
methamphetamine as "an addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates
certain systems in the brain.") The speakers at the briefing we Nora
Volkow, MD


http://www.scienceblog.com/community...B/nih1995.html


The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health,
today announced it has awarded 10 grants to study the relationship between
chronic stress, repeated stressors, and brain mechanisms that affect
drug-use behaviors. The grants total $7.6 million over a period of 5 years.
"Stress can alter a person's physiology and contribute to the development of
such illnesses as hypertension, diabetes, and addiction," says Dr. Nora D.
Volkow



Rate of Drug Uptake Impacts Likelihood of Abuse

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Results of a new study found
that an extended-release form of methylphenidate -- sold as CONCERTA®
(methylphenidate HCl in the OROS® delivery system) may be associated with a
lower likelihood of abuse than immediate-release methylphenidate (sold as
Ritalin®). The findings were presented today at a meeting of child and
adolescent psychiatrists.

"The abuse of prescription stimulant medications is a growing concern among
physicians who prescribe these medications to treat Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and parents of children and teens who rely on
these treatments to restore normal function," said Edward Sellers, MD, PhD,
an investigator on this study and Professor of Pharmacology, Medicine and
Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. "Our study suggests that slowing
the rate of drug delivery through the extended-release OROS® technology may
decrease the likelihood of abuse."
The study, which evaluated 49 healthy adults with a history of light
(occasional) recreational stimulant use, measured likeability using multiple
scales which measured abuse-related effects, including Addiction Research
Center Inventory, Drug Rating Questionnaire and Subjective Drug Value
Procedure. These scales measured positive (liking or enjoyment), negative
(dysphoric or disliking) and stimulant (related to reinforcement) effects.
The study found that immediate-release methylphenidate produced greater
subjective abuse-related effects than placebo and CONCERTA®. In addition, a
therapeutic dose of CONCERTA® (54 mg) was similar to placebo on most
abuse-related measures tested. Overall, the study suggests that CONCERTA® is
less likely to produce abuse-related subjective effects, such as "highs" or
"euphoria", possibly due to a slower and extended rate of release of
methylphenidate.

CONCERTA® has a unique formulation utilizing the OROS® technology that makes
it less easily abused than other formulations of methylphenidate without
compromising the effectiveness of the medication. The formulation of
CONCERTA® is difficult to convert to an abusable form of methylphenidate.
Under normal circumstances, the CONCERTA® tablet is difficult to crush, and
the methylphenidate, the active ingredient in the CONCERTA® tablet, is
difficult to extract.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) invited McNeil Pediatrics
to discuss data on the abuse profile of CONCERTA® as part of an information
exchange session titled "Progress in Creating New Drug Formulations that
Discourage Tampering and Abuse." Patrick E. Ciccone, M.D., Vice President of
Medical Affairs at McNeil Pediatrics, presented data to support the low
likelihood of abusing CONCERTA® due to its compromise-resistant formulation
and gradual rate of absorption. Additionally, a study recently published in
the American Journal of Psychiatry in March 2006 concluded that CONCERTA®
may be less likely to be abused than immediate-release methylphenidate
drugs. Study participants taking therapeutic oral doses of CONCERTA® did not
report perceiving and enjoying the drug's subjective effects, features that
are associated with a medication's potential for abuse.

For more information about CONCERTA®, including full U.S. prescribing
information, please visit http://www.concerta.net/ , call 1-888-440-7903 or
contact your healthcare provider.

Important Safety Information

CONCERTA® should not be taken by patients with: significant anxiety,
tension, or agitation; allergies to methylphenidate or other ingredients in
CONCERTA®; glaucoma; Tourette's syndrome, tics, or family history of
Tourette's syndrome. Abuse of methylphenidate may lead to dependence. Tell
your healthcare professional if your child has had problems with alcohol or
drugs, has had depression, abnormal thoughts or visions, bipolar disorder,
seizures, high blood pressure or has had any heart problems or defects. If
your child develops abnormal thinking or hallucinations, abnormal, extreme
moods and/or excessive activity, or if aggressive behavior or hostility
develops or worsens while taking CONCERTA®, consult your healthcare
professional. The most common adverse events reported in children receiving
up to 54 mg were headache, upper respiratory tract infection and abdominal
pain. The most common adverse events reported by adolescents receiving up to
72 mg were headache, accidental injury and insomnia.

About McNeil Pediatrics

McNeil Pediatrics Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. is committed to meeting the
needs of pediatric medicine through the development of therapies
specifically formulated for children. Its leading pediatric product,
CONCERTA® (methylphenidate HCl) Extended-release Tablets, is a once-a-day
treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that uniquely
combines methylphenidate with an exclusive OROS® delivery system. CONCERTA®
is the number one ADHD prescribed medication in the U.S. for children and
adolescents. The company is continuing to explore other new therapies to
meet the special needs of children and the pediatric community.

Adderall® is a registered trademark of companies within the Shire group.

Ritalin® is a registered trademark of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: McNeil Pediatrics
~~~~~~~~~~~`

What they don't tell.

http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/concerta_review.htm

"Jan Drew" wrote in message
...
Poor Markey is once again posting to a thread by *me*. What happened to
your UDP?

"Mark Probert" wrote in message
news:77o1h.1762$Gg5.551@trndny02...
Jeff wrote:
"Jan Drew" wrote in message
. ..
...

Source: McNeil Pediatrics

I think this says a lot about the reliability of this press release.

Perhaps. However, the reported findings, i.e., that the method of
ingestion of a substance, determines its "addictability" is quite
consistent with the extensive research conducted by Nora Volkow, et al at
State University of New York at Stony Brook and at Brookhaven National
Laboratories. Her team found that oral administration of MPH did not have
the same physiological effect on the brain as snorting the same amount of
the medication.

Nora Volkow is now the head of the National Institute of Drug Abuse, but
remains an active researcher in the field of the physiology of addiction.

Nora D. Volkow, M.D

http://www.aidsaction.org/communicat...005/070805.htm


This Week in Washington
1. Senator John Breaux and American University Kick Off "Ceasefire on
Healthcare"
Wednesday, June 29, marked the kickoff of a discussion series on health
care
presented by American University's Center for Congressional and
Presidential
Studies and featuring former Senator John Breaux (D-LA). Funded by a grant
from Pfizer, Inc., the series will take place in venues around the country
as part of the "Ceasefire on Health Care" Campaign. According to a media
advisory issued by the campaign, the campaign aims to "put party
difference
aside and focus on bipartisan solutions to the health care problems facing
our country." It "will examine important health care issues such as access
to health care, rising costs, and uninsured Americans."


2. Congressional Briefing on Crystal Methamphetamine
On Tuesday, June 28, Friends of NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse),
in
conjunction with the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control
Methamphetamine, sponsored a briefing for congressional staff, entitled
Methamphetamine Addiction: Cause for Concern - Hope for the Future. (The
National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse defines
methamphetamine as "an addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates
certain systems in the brain.") The speakers at the briefing we Nora
Volkow, MD


http://www.scienceblog.com/community...B/nih1995.html


The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of
Health,
today announced it has awarded 10 grants to study the relationship between
chronic stress, repeated stressors, and brain mechanisms that affect
drug-use behaviors. The grants total $7.6 million over a period of 5
years.
"Stress can alter a person's physiology and contribute to the development
of
such illnesses as hypertension, diabetes, and addiction," says Dr. Nora D.
Volkow



Rate of Drug Uptake Impacts Likelihood of Abuse

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Results of a new study found
that an extended-release form of methylphenidate -- sold as CONCERTA®
(methylphenidate HCl in the OROS® delivery system) may be associated with
a
lower likelihood of abuse than immediate-release methylphenidate (sold as
Ritalin®). The findings were presented today at a meeting of child and
adolescent psychiatrists.

"The abuse of prescription stimulant medications is a growing concern
among
physicians who prescribe these medications to treat Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and parents of children and teens who rely
on
these treatments to restore normal function," said Edward Sellers, MD,
PhD,
an investigator on this study and Professor of Pharmacology, Medicine and
Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. "Our study suggests that slowing
the rate of drug delivery through the extended-release OROS® technology
may
decrease the likelihood of abuse."
The study, which evaluated 49 healthy adults with a history of light
(occasional) recreational stimulant use, measured likeability using
multiple
scales which measured abuse-related effects, including Addiction Research
Center Inventory, Drug Rating Questionnaire and Subjective Drug Value
Procedure. These scales measured positive (liking or enjoyment), negative
(dysphoric or disliking) and stimulant (related to reinforcement) effects.
The study found that immediate-release methylphenidate produced greater
subjective abuse-related effects than placebo and CONCERTA®. In addition,
a
therapeutic dose of CONCERTA® (54 mg) was similar to placebo on most
abuse-related measures tested. Overall, the study suggests that CONCERTA®
is
less likely to produce abuse-related subjective effects, such as "highs"
or
"euphoria", possibly due to a slower and extended rate of release of
methylphenidate.

CONCERTA® has a unique formulation utilizing the OROS® technology that
makes
it less easily abused than other formulations of methylphenidate without
compromising the effectiveness of the medication. The formulation of
CONCERTA® is difficult to convert to an abusable form of methylphenidate.
Under normal circumstances, the CONCERTA® tablet is difficult to crush,
and
the methylphenidate, the active ingredient in the CONCERTA® tablet, is
difficult to extract.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance
Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) invited McNeil
Pediatrics
to discuss data on the abuse profile of CONCERTA® as part of an
information
exchange session titled "Progress in Creating New Drug Formulations that
Discourage Tampering and Abuse." Patrick E. Ciccone, M.D., Vice President
of
Medical Affairs at McNeil Pediatrics, presented data to support the low
likelihood of abusing CONCERTA® due to its compromise-resistant
formulation
and gradual rate of absorption. Additionally, a study recently published
in
the American Journal of Psychiatry in March 2006 concluded that CONCERTA®
may be less likely to be abused than immediate-release methylphenidate
drugs. Study participants taking therapeutic oral doses of CONCERTA® did
not
report perceiving and enjoying the drug's subjective effects, features
that
are associated with a medication's potential for abuse.

For more information about CONCERTA®, including full U.S. prescribing
information, please visit http://www.concerta.net/ , call 1-888-440-7903
or
contact your healthcare provider.

Important Safety Information

CONCERTA® should not be taken by patients with: significant anxiety,
tension, or agitation; allergies to methylphenidate or other ingredients
in
CONCERTA®; glaucoma; Tourette's syndrome, tics, or family history of
Tourette's syndrome. Abuse of methylphenidate may lead to dependence. Tell
your healthcare professional if your child has had problems with alcohol
or
drugs, has had depression, abnormal thoughts or visions, bipolar disorder,
seizures, high blood pressure or has had any heart problems or defects. If
your child develops abnormal thinking or hallucinations, abnormal, extreme
moods and/or excessive activity, or if aggressive behavior or hostility
develops or worsens while taking CONCERTA®, consult your healthcare
professional. The most common adverse events reported in children
receiving
up to 54 mg were headache, upper respiratory tract infection and abdominal
pain. The most common adverse events reported by adolescents receiving up
to
72 mg were headache, accidental injury and insomnia.

About McNeil Pediatrics

McNeil Pediatrics Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. is committed to meeting the
needs of pediatric medicine through the development of therapies
specifically formulated for children. Its leading pediatric product,
CONCERTA® (methylphenidate HCl) Extended-release Tablets, is a once-a-day
treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that
uniquely
combines methylphenidate with an exclusive OROS® delivery system.
CONCERTA®
is the number one ADHD prescribed medication in the U.S. for children and
adolescents. The company is continuing to explore other new therapies to
meet the special needs of children and the pediatric community.

Adderall® is a registered trademark of companies within the Shire group.

Ritalin® is a registered trademark of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: McNeil Pediatrics
~~~~~~~~~~~`

What they don't tell.

http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/concerta_review.htm
oncerta Review - Unexpected Psychiatric Reactions in Children.
The FDA, after a Concerta review, plans to strengthen warnings about the
possible psychiatric side effects of Concerta and similar drug treatments
for ADHD. A routine FDA review of Concerta found that there have been dozens
of reports of hallucinations, violence, thoughts of suicide and death. Yes,
death. The FDA found 16 deaths from Concerta since the popular drug was
first introduced five years ago. Some doctors have been quoted as saying
that parents should not overreact to this report. But, if you are the
parents of any one of those 16 children who died from taking the drug, you
would absolutely argue that point.

The FDA website on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 listed the top 20 reported
Concerta complaints found in its Concerta review. Below is a list of side
effects currently not listed on the Concerta warning label:

a.. Aggression

b.. Abnormal behavior

c.. Agitation

d.. Hallucination

e.. Anxiety

f.. Depression

g.. Suicide ideation (thoughts of suicide)

h.. Completed suicide

i.. Confusional state

j.. Disorientation

k.. Chest pain

Heart complications have also been found in addition to these unexpected
psychiatric reactions in children.

Concerta, a once-daily form of methylphenidate (Ritalin), is now the most
prescribed drug for ADHD. A subsequent review of other methylphenidate
products found similar psychiatric complications. The FDA plans to conduct a
review of Adderall and Strattera to see whether similar behavior is reported
with these ADHD drug treatments. That review is expected to be complete
early in 2006.

Adderall has already been linked to at least 20 deaths. In 2004 the FDA
required that Shire Pharmaceutical Group, the makers of Adderall, provide
doctors with warning about sudden cardiovascular death linked to Adderall.
Canadian officials in February 2005 ordered Adderall off the market in
Canada after reports of sudden deaths related to the drug.

Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Concerta, declined to comment on the FDA
Concerta review.

It is natural for parents to question whether taking a powerful stimulant
like Concerta is in their child's best interests. Stimulants like Concerta
are worrisome for many reasons - predominately because of the potential for
harmful Concerta side effects.

Most doctors believe the side effects of Concerta, and all ADHD medication,
should be carefully weighed against the benefits before prescribing
potentially harmful ADHD medication like Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta. Since
Concerta does not cure ADHD, but only temporarily controls symptoms, a
growing number of health professionals and parents alike now look to
alternatives to ADHD medication to address the causes of Attention Deficit
and hyperactivity. The more holistic and health-based physicians will often
recommend supplements and lifestyle changes to diminish the symptoms of
Attention Deficit Disorder and hyperactivity.

If you are concerned about the health effects of Concerta, or other ADHD
medications, closely review Attend as a safe and effective alternative to
drugs. There are healthful and effective ways of dealing with Attention
Deficit Disorder, with seizure disorders and with depression that do not
include the use of high-powered medications.

Jan Drew wrote:
"Jan Drew" wrote in message
...
Poor Markey is once again posting to a thread by *me*. What happened to
your UDP?

"Mark Probert" wrote in message
news:77o1h.1762$Gg5.551@trndny02...
Jeff wrote:
"Jan Drew" wrote in message
. ..
...

Source: McNeil Pediatrics
I think this says a lot about the reliability of this press release.
Perhaps. However, the reported findings, i.e., that the method of
ingestion of a substance, determines its "addictability" is quite
consistent with the extensive research conducted by Nora Volkow, et al at
State University of New York at Stony Brook and at Brookhaven National
Laboratories. Her team found that oral administration of MPH did not have
the same physiological effect on the brain as snorting the same amount of
the medication.

Nora Volkow is now the head of the National Institute of Drug Abuse, but
remains an active researcher in the field of the physiology of addiction.
Nora D. Volkow, M.D

http://www.aidsaction.org/communicat...005/070805.htm


This Week in Washington
1. Senator John Breaux and American University Kick Off "Ceasefire on
Healthcare"
Wednesday, June 29, marked the kickoff of a discussion series on health
care
presented by American University's Center for Congressional and
Presidential
Studies and featuring former Senator John Breaux (D-LA). Funded by a grant
from Pfizer, Inc., the series will take place in venues around the country
as part of the "Ceasefire on Health Care" Campaign. According to a media
advisory issued by the campaign, the campaign aims to "put party
difference
aside and focus on bipartisan solutions to the health care problems facing
our country." It "will examine important health care issues such as access
to health care, rising costs, and uninsured Americans."


2. Congressional Briefing on Crystal Methamphetamine
On Tuesday, June 28, Friends of NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse),
in
conjunction with the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control
Methamphetamine, sponsored a briefing for congressional staff, entitled
Methamphetamine Addiction: Cause for Concern - Hope for the Future. (The
National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse defines
methamphetamine as "an addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates
certain systems in the brain.") The speakers at the briefing we Nora
Volkow, MD


http://www.scienceblog.com/community...B/nih1995.html


The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of
Health,
today announced it has awarded 10 grants to study the relationship between
chronic stress, repeated stressors, and brain mechanisms that affect
drug-use behaviors. The grants total $7.6 million over a period of 5
years.
"Stress can alter a person's physiology and contribute to the development
of
such illnesses as hypertension, diabetes, and addiction," says Dr. Nora D.
Volkow



Rate of Drug Uptake Impacts Likelihood of Abuse

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Results of a new study found
that an extended-release form of methylphenidate -- sold as CONCERTA®
(methylphenidate HCl in the OROS® delivery system) may be associated with
a
lower likelihood of abuse than immediate-release methylphenidate (sold as
Ritalin®). The findings were presented today at a meeting of child and
adolescent psychiatrists.

"The abuse of prescription stimulant medications is a growing concern
among
physicians who prescribe these medications to treat Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and parents of children and teens who rely
on
these treatments to restore normal function," said Edward Sellers, MD,
PhD,
an investigator on this study and Professor of Pharmacology, Medicine and
Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. "Our study suggests that slowing
the rate of drug delivery through the extended-release OROS® technology
may
decrease the likelihood of abuse."
The study, which evaluated 49 healthy adults with a history of light
(occasional) recreational stimulant use, measured likeability using
multiple
scales which measured abuse-related effects, including Addiction Research
Center Inventory, Drug Rating Questionnaire and Subjective Drug Value
Procedure. These scales measured positive (liking or enjoyment), negative
(dysphoric or disliking) and stimulant (related to reinforcement) effects.
The study found that immediate-release methylphenidate produced greater
subjective abuse-related effects than placebo and CONCERTA®. In addition,
a
therapeutic dose of CONCERTA® (54 mg) was similar to placebo on most
abuse-related measures tested. Overall, the study suggests that CONCERTA®
is
less likely to produce abuse-related subjective effects, such as "highs"
or
"euphoria", possibly due to a slower and extended rate of release of
methylphenidate.

CONCERTA® has a unique formulation utilizing the OROS® technology that
makes
it less easily abused than other formulations of methylphenidate without
compromising the effectiveness of the medication. The formulation of
CONCERTA® is difficult to convert to an abusable form of methylphenidate.
Under normal circumstances, the CONCERTA® tablet is difficult to crush,
and
the methylphenidate, the active ingredient in the CONCERTA® tablet, is
difficult to extract.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance
Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) invited McNeil
Pediatrics
to discuss data on the abuse profile of CONCERTA® as part of an
information
exchange session titled "Progress in Creating New Drug Formulations that
Discourage Tampering and Abuse." Patrick E. Ciccone, M.D., Vice President
of
Medical Affairs at McNeil Pediatrics, presented data to support the low
likelihood of abusing CONCERTA® due to its compromise-resistant
formulation
and gradual rate of absorption. Additionally, a study recently published
in
the American Journal of Psychiatry in March 2006 concluded that CONCERTA®
may be less likely to be abused than immediate-release methylphenidate
drugs. Study participants taking therapeutic oral doses of CONCERTA® did
not
report perceiving and enjoying the drug's subjective effects, features
that
are associated with a medication's potential for abuse.

For more information about CONCERTA®, including full U.S. prescribing
information, please visit http://www.concerta.net/ , call 1-888-440-7903
or
contact your healthcare provider.

Important Safety Information

CONCERTA® should not be taken by patients with: significant anxiety,
tension, or agitation; allergies to methylphenidate or other ingredients
in
CONCERTA®; glaucoma; Tourette's syndrome, tics, or family history of
Tourette's syndrome. Abuse of methylphenidate may lead to dependence. Tell
your healthcare professional if your child has had problems with alcohol
or
drugs, has had depression, abnormal thoughts or visions, bipolar disorder,
seizures, high blood pressure or has had any heart problems or defects. If
your child develops abnormal thinking or hallucinations, abnormal, extreme
moods and/or excessive activity, or if aggressive behavior or hostility
develops or worsens while taking CONCERTA®, consult your healthcare
professional. The most common adverse events reported in children
receiving
up to 54 mg were headache, upper respiratory tract infection and abdominal
pain. The most common adverse events reported by adolescents receiving up
to
72 mg were headache, accidental injury and insomnia.

About McNeil Pediatrics

McNeil Pediatrics Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. is committed to meeting the
needs of pediatric medicine through the development of therapies
specifically formulated for children. Its leading pediatric product,
CONCERTA® (methylphenidate HCl) Extended-release Tablets, is a once-a-day
treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that
uniquely
combines methylphenidate with an exclusive OROS® delivery system.
CONCERTA®
is the number one ADHD prescribed medication in the U.S. for children and
adolescents. The company is continuing to explore other new therapies to
meet the special needs of children and the pediatric community.

Adderall® is a registered trademark of companies within the Shire group.

Ritalin® is a registered trademark of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: McNeil Pediatrics
~~~~~~~~~~~`

What they don't tell.

http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/concerta_review.htm
oncerta Review - Unexpected Psychiatric Reactions in Children.
The FDA, after a Concerta review, plans to strengthen warnings about the
possible psychiatric side effects of Concerta and similar drug treatments
for ADHD. A routine FDA review of Concerta found that there have been dozens
of reports of hallucinations, violence, thoughts of suicide and death. Yes,
death. The FDA found 16 deaths from Concerta since the popular drug was
first introduced five years ago. Some doctors have been quoted as saying
that parents should not overreact to this report. But, if you are the
parents of any one of those 16 children who died from taking the drug, you
would absolutely argue that point.

The FDA website on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 listed the top 20 reported
Concerta complaints found in its Concerta review. Below is a list of side
effects currently not listed on the Concerta warning label:

a.. Aggression

b.. Abnormal behavior

c.. Agitation

d.. Hallucination

e.. Anxiety

f.. Depression

g.. Suicide ideation (thoughts of suicide)

h.. Completed suicide

i.. Confusional state

j.. Disorientation

k.. Chest pain

Heart complications have also been found in addition to these unexpected
psychiatric reactions in children.

Concerta, a once-daily form of methylphenidate (Ritalin), is now the most
prescribed drug for ADHD. A subsequent review of other methylphenidate
products found similar psychiatric complications. The FDA plans to conduct a
review of Adderall and Strattera to see whether similar behavior is reported
with these ADHD drug treatments. That review is expected to be complete
early in 2006.

Adderall has already been linked to at least 20 deaths. In 2004 the FDA
required that Shire Pharmaceutical Group, the makers of Adderall, provide
doctors with warning about sudden cardiovascular death linked to Adderall.
Canadian officials in February 2005 ordered Adderall off the market in
Canada after reports of sudden deaths related to the drug.

Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Concerta, declined to comment on the FDA
Concerta review.

It is natural for parents to question whether taking a powerful stimulant
like Concerta is in their child's best interests. Stimulants like Concerta
are worrisome for many reasons - predominately because of the potential for
harmful Concerta side effects.

Most doctors believe the side effects of Concerta, and all ADHD medication,
should be carefully weighed against the benefits before prescribing
potentially harmful ADHD medication like Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta. Since
Concerta does not cure ADHD, but only temporarily controls symptoms, a
growing number of health professionals and parents alike now look to
alternatives to ADHD medication to address the causes of Attention Deficit
and hyperactivity. The more holistic and health-based physicians will often
recommend supplements and lifestyle changes to diminish the symptoms of
Attention Deficit Disorder and hyperactivity.

If you are concerned about the health effects of Concerta, or other ADHD
medications, closely review Attend as a safe and effective alternative to
drugs. There are healthful and effective ways of dealing with Attention
Deficit Disorder, with seizure disorders and with depression that do not
include the use of high-powered medications.

yep, these are powerful drugs, and they're not perfect.

yet, they've provided relief to many people who otherwise would be
suffering far worse.

nothing in life if perfect.

expecting it from pharmaceuticals is unrealistic.

Jeff wrote:
"Mark Probert" wrote in message
news:77o1h.1762$Gg5.551@trndny02...
Jeff wrote:
"Jan Drew" wrote in message
. ..
...

Source: McNeil Pediatrics
I think this says a lot about the reliability of this press release.
Perhaps. However, the reported findings, i.e., that the method of
ingestion of a substance, determines its "addictability" is quite
consistent with the extensive research conducted by Nora Volkow, et al at
State University of New York at Stony Brook and at Brookhaven National
Laboratories. Her team found that oral administration of MPH did not have
the same physiological effect on the brain as snorting the same amount of
the medication.

Nora Volkow is now the head of the National Institute of Drug Abuse, but
remains an active researcher in the field of the physiology of addiction.

Correct, However, I am wondering if the differences found between Ritalin
and Concerta are functionally importnat. I mean, how much addictive
potential does Ritalin have when taken as directed?

For a decade, I have asked anyone and everyone who claims that
methylphenidate is addictive to provide proof that it is addictive if
taken as prescribed. No one has taken up the request.

During that period I have not sat on my hands waiting. I have RSS feeds
from PubMed which is "methylphenidate AND addiction" and several variants.

No case studies reported.

THere is a slow release
form of Ritalin (Ritalin SR), but I have never seen it advertised as a way
to reduce drug addiction.

There have been some studies/reports of the use of MPH to treat cocaine
addiction. I do not have the references handy.

"Jeff" wrote in message
k.net...

"Mark Probert" wrote in message
news:77o1h.1762$Gg5.551@trndny02...
Jeff wrote:
"Jan Drew" wrote in message
. ..
...

Source: McNeil Pediatrics

I think this says a lot about the reliability of this press release.

Perhaps. However, the reported findings, i.e., that the method of
ingestion of a substance, determines its "addictability" is quite
consistent with the extensive research conducted by Nora Volkow, et al at
State University of New York at Stony Brook and at Brookhaven National
Laboratories. Her team found that oral administration of MPH did not have
the same physiological effect on the brain as snorting the same amount of
the medication.

Nora Volkow is now the head of the National Institute of Drug Abuse, but
remains an active researcher in the field of the physiology of addiction.

Correct, However, I am wondering if the differences found between Ritalin
and Concerta are functionally importnat. I mean, how much addictive
potential does Ritalin have when taken as directed? THere is a slow
release form of Ritalin (Ritalin SR), but I have never seen it advertised
as a way to reduce drug addiction.

I think the major difference is that it is harder to snort one than the
other--I have heard stories of people doing that with ritalin, but so far
have not heard the same about concerta--unless someone has come up with a
way around the new technology...

--
Buny

" Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be
normal."
~ Albert Camus