http://aapnews.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/e2004155v1

UGH! Ds took this for 15 mo (until this July). Should I be worried- or is it just IF you are currently taking it?

By Cat on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 02:32 pm:

Gosh, Laura. I don't know. Robin took that, too. I would imagine if Douglas is no longer taking it, and there aren't any problems with his liver now, you shouldn't need to worry about it. I guess we could always ask our docs to do liver function tests on the boys, but that means a blood draw. I hate when things like this happen.

By Missmudd on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 11:59 pm:

I wouldnt worry too much, I mean how many people were taking this and only 2 cases of liver damage have been reported. It sounds like it is super rare but they are trying to cover their backside. I would however discontinue it's use.

By Lauram on Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 10:24 am:

I have to say- I was always worried about something like this happening because it was such a new drug. I talked to the dr today (I was there with my other son) and he said not to worry and that it was not a reason to rush in. He did say they would do a test at his next physical to allay my fears....

By Cat on Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 12:37 pm:

There's always a rist involved with trying new medications. Sometimes it takes years or even decades to discover all the side effects.

By Cat on Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 12:37 pm:

risk--not rist

By Mommmie on Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 01:27 pm:

My son's ADHD doctor wouldn't prescribe it yet. She likes to wait a couple of years when a new med comes out. I work on recalled drug litigation (drug makers side/defense side) and I don't blame her. The whole big pharma business is pretty scary.

I'm sticking to Ritalin since it's the most research and luckily it works for my son for the time being.

By Imamommyx4 on Friday, December 24, 2004 - 01:59 am:

My youngest son was on Ritalin for several years. We took him off when we decided to homeschool. Just recently we decided to go back to the dr with his ADD and guess what she put him on--Strattera. He refused to go back on Ritalin. From what I've read though, they should be doing liver function tests about every 6 months. And the liver damage seems to have been resolved after stopping the med. As a pharmacist I know that the drug has had some really great results from a lot of people. And every drug has its risks. And I wonder about the people who had the liver damage. Did they have other risk factors that predisposed them to liver problems such as hepatitis or drinking or Tylenol overuse? But as a mom I always worry when I see this stuff. And I ask myself over and over, am I doing the right thing?

By Karen~moderator on Friday, December 31, 2004 - 05:44 am:

Pretty scary, Jules was taking Straterra and she had previous liver damage. She had weaned off of it, but I don't know if she went back on it.