I love going to a doctor’s office and having them tell me that there is no real “risk” associated with certain medications. You want to believe them, but sometimes it’s hard. Well, this time, some “risk-less” medications not only adversely affects adults but children, as well.
A recent Vanderbilt University study completed from 1996 to 2007, looked at over 28,000 children prescribed a popular class of anti-psychotics given to children. This class of drug greatly increased the risk of the children developing type 2 diabetes. As much as triple the risk!
The drugs are given for a variety of reasons, but the most popular prescription is to treat ADHD.
Incredibly, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes often occurred in the first year of taking the drug and even persisted for a year after stopping the treatment. The problem seems to stem from the additional weight gain associated with taking the drug.
Adults who take this class of drug are also at a much greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The drugs in the study were the following (generic and brand name versions): Abilify, Seroquel, Risperdal and Zyprexa.
The researchers recommend exploring all other options before giving your child these drugs. No word yet from the FDA as to whether they will do anything about the findings. Read Entire Report Here.