But then again? Bernard Lord says- As long as the doctor prescribes the pill? Then it must be safe!!! Read this story---
Attention Drug May Cause DNA, Cancer Risk, Study Says (Update3)
March 18 (Bloomberg) -- A treatment for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children may cause damage to DNA that can raise the risk of cancer, according to a study of 12 children to be published in Cancer Letters.
The children, who took the drug methylphenidate for three months, had an average three-fold increase in the number of chromosomal aberrations, abnormalities in DNA that while often harmless sometimes lead to cancer, said researchers led by Randa El-Zein of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Other types of DNA damage also increased significantly, the study said.
U.S. sales of the medication, better known by the brand name Ritalin, sold by Novartis AG and in generic versions, have surged in recent years, increasing 500 percent from 1990 to 1999, the report said. More studies are needed to determine whether the medicine, which has been used for more than 50 years, actually raises cancer risk, researchers said.
``The lack of research on the long-term effects of methylphenidate use in humans warrants great concern,'' the researchers concluded. ``At present, it is not clear what the long- term effects would be for children who took methylphenidate 10 or 20 years ago or for those who are currently being treated with this drug.''
Related Drugs
Studies also may be needed to see whether related drugs such as Shire Pharmaceuticals Group's Adderall XR, pulled from the Canadian market because of sudden deaths, have similar risks, the study said. Shire, based in Basingstoke, England, is also developing a methylphenidate patch called Methypatch with Miami- based Noven Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Johnson & Johnson of the U.S. sells a longer-acting version of Ritalin called Concerta. Kathy Fallon, a company spokeswoman, declined immediate comment.
``We see no increased risk of cancer in the currently available literature, but we're taking the study seriously and we'll further examine the results,'' Novartis spokesman John Gilardi said in an interview.
Shares of Novartis fell 55 centimes, or 1 percent, to 56.15 Swiss francs in Zurich trading. Shire's shares dropped 4 pence to 583 pence in London. Johnson & Johnson fell 8 cents to $66.91 at 10:43 a.m. New York time in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.
Approximately 3 percent to 5 percent of children in the U.S., or about 2 million, are diagnosed with ADHD, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
DNA Damage
In addition to chromosomal aberrations, the study measured a type of DNA damage called sister-chromatid exchanges, in which broken strands of paired DNA reconnected improperly. Researchers also examined damage in which fragments of DNA called micronuclei fail to incorporate into the cell nucleus during cell division.
Among the 10 boys and 2 girls, who were an average of 8 1/2 years old, sister-chromatid exchanges increased 4.3 fold after taking the drug and the presence of micronuclei rose 2.4 times, the researchers said.
``People should keep in perspective it's a very small study,'' Shire spokeswoman Jessica Mann said in an interview. ``Methylphenidate has been used for decades safely and effectively.''
The company, which generates about 40 percent of its revenue from Adderall, plans to seek U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of Methypatch at mid-year, Mann said. Adderall XR generated $606.7 million in sales last year.
Although the study was small, investors should be aware of it because of the magnitude of the effect and heightened awareness of drug safety since Merck & Co.'s Vioxx painkiller was pulled from the market on Sept. 30, said Corey Davis a JP Morgan analyst in New York, in a note to clients yesterday.
``We see little impact on Shire's Adderall XR given that it is not a methylphenidate, but perhaps a more direct negative correlation to Methypatch,'' the note said.
To contact the reporter on this story:
John Lauerman in Boston
at jlauerman@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Robert Simison in Washington at rsimison@bloomberg.net.
Last Updated: March 18, 2005 11:13 EST
2 comments:
Many people are sympathetic to your cause but you have a knack to annoy people and turn them against you. A piece of advice: never attack people’s religious beliefs. You must not throw stones on other people’s houses if you live in a glass house. Your attack on Islam and Muslims was unfortunate. The little girl could have responded that in case of Catholic priests it is not 20 virgins but 20 boys given their preference and if there are not enough boys around in the heaven they can use their hands to amuse themselves and rest assured their hands will not be cut. But then that will be disrespectful response. So do not be disrespectful to others if you do not want to be disrespected. Especially not to others faith.
Lets get one thing straight right now! I never attack the Muslim faith. I did asked some questions? Now? The only way for me to educate myself on issues? Is to asks some question! Which I did and some people were offended! oH WELL? C'est la vie!!!! Read the past blog on this issue!!!
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