Generic Drugs for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Faces Safety Concerns

Concerta, the generic drug prescribed for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) had some side effects on patients. The Food and Drug Administration announced it had concerns about whether two approved generic versions of Concerta were in facttherapeutically equivalent to the name-brand drug. "Two of these generics, so to speak, were not exactly providing the same rate and extent of absorption of medicine that Concerta had," explained Dr. Andrew Adesman of the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center, New York.

The FDA said the generics are no longer recommended as an automatic substitute for Concerta though they have no serious safety issues and can still be prescribed, but they may not work as effectively.

In some patients, the FDA found generics manufactured by Mallinckrodt and Kudco may deliver their dosage at a slower rate, lowering effectiveness. Concerta’s manufacturer, Janssen, another version of the drug had no such problems.

Source-Medindia