WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
Serious Cardiovascular Events
Sudden Death and Pre-existing Structural Cardiac
Abnormalities or Other Serious Heart Problems
Children and Adolescents
Sudden death has been reported in association with CNS
stimulant treatment at usual doses in children and adolescents with structural
cardiac abnormalities or other serious heart problems. Although some serious
heart problems alone carry an increased risk of sudden death, stimulant
products generally should not be used in children or adolescents with known
serious structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious heart rhythm
abnormalities, or other serious cardiac problems that may place them at
increased vulnerability to the sympathomimetic effects of a stimulant drug [see
CONTRAINDICATIONS].
Adults
Sudden deaths, stroke, and myocardial infarction have
been reported in adults taking stimulant drugs at usual doses for ADHD.
Although the role of stimulants in these adult cases is also unknown, adults
have a greater likelihood than children of having serious structural cardiac
abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious heart rhythm abnormalities, coronary
artery disease, or other serious cardiac problems. Adults with such
abnormalities should also generally not be treated with stimulant drugs [see
CONTRAINDICATIONS].
Hypertension and Other Cardiovascular Conditions
Stimulant medications cause a modest increase in average
blood pressure (about 2-4 mmHg) and average heart rate (about 3-6 bpm), and
individuals may have larger increases. While the mean changes alone would not
be expected to have short-term consequences, all patients should be monitored
for larger changes in heart rate and blood pressure. Caution is indicated in
treating patients whose underlying medical conditions might be compromised by
increases in blood pressure or heart rate, e.g., those with pre-existing
hypertension, heart failure, recent myocardial infarction, or ventricular
arrhythmia [see CONTRAINDICATIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Assessing Cardiovascular Status in Patients being Treated
with Stimulant Medications
Children, adolescents, or adults who are being considered
for treatment with stimulant medications should have a careful history
(including assessment for a family history of sudden death or ventricular
arrhythmia) and physical exam to assess for the presence of cardiac disease,
and should receive further cardiac evaluation if findings suggest such disease
(e.g. electrocardiogram and echocardiogram). Patients who develop symptoms such
as exertional chest pain, unexplained syncope, or other symptoms suggestive of
cardiac disease during stimulant treatment should undergo a prompt cardiac
evaluation.
Psychiatric Adverse Events
Pre-Existing Psychosis
Administration of stimulants may exacerbate symptoms of
behavior disturbance and thought disorder in patients with pre-existing
psychotic disorder.
Bipolar Illness
Particular care should be taken in using stimulants to
treat ADHD patients with comorbid bipolar disorder because of concern for
possible induction of mixed/manic episode in such patients. Prior to initiating
treatment with a stimulant, patients with comorbid depressive symptoms should
be adequately screened to determine if they are at risk for bipolar disorder;
such screening should include a detailed psychiatric history, including a
family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, and depression.
Emergence of New Psychotic or Manic Symptoms
Treatment-emergent psychotic or manic symptoms, e.g.,
hallucinations, delusional thinking, or mania in children and adolescents
without prior history of psychotic illness or mania can be caused by stimulants
at usual doses. If such symptoms occur, consideration should be given to a
possible causal role of the stimulant, and discontinuation of treatment may be
appropriate. In a pooled analysis of multiple short-term, placebo-controlled
studies, such symptoms occurred in about 0.1% (4 patients with events out of
3482 exposed to methylphenidate or amphetamine for several weeks at usual
doses) of stimulant-treated patients compared to 0 in placebotreated patients.
Aggression
Aggressive behavior or hostility is often observed in
children and adolescents with ADHD, and has been reported in clinical trials
and the postmarketing experience of some medications indicated for the
treatment of ADHD. Although there is no systematic evidence that stimulants
cause aggressive behavior or hostility, patients beginning treatment for ADHD
should be monitored for the appearance of or worsening of aggressive behavior
or hostility.
Long-Term Suppression Of Growth
Monitor growth in children during treatment with
stimulants. Patients who are not growing or gaining weight as expected may need
to have their treatment interrupted. Careful follow-up of weight and height in
children ages 7 to 10 years who were randomized to either methylphenidate or
non-medication treatment groups over 14 months, as well as in naturalistic
subgroups of newly methylphenidate-treated and non-medication treated children
over 36 months (to the ages of 10 to 13 years), suggests that consistently
medicated children (i.e., treatment for 7 days per week throughout the year)
have a temporary slowing in growth rate (on average, a total of about 2 cm less
growth in height and 2.7 kg less growth in weight over 3 years), without
evidence of growth rebound during this period of development.
In a controlled trial of ADDERALL XR in adolescents, mean
weight change from baseline within the initial 4 weeks of therapy was –1.1 lbs.
and –2.8 lbs., respectively, for patients receiving 10 mg and 20 mg ADDERALL
XR. Higher doses were associated with greater weight loss within the initial 4
weeks of treatment. Chronic use of amphetamines can be expected to cause a
similar suppression of growth.
Seizures
There is some clinical evidence that stimulants may lower
the convulsive threshold in patients with prior history of seizures, in
patients with prior EEG abnormalities in the absence of seizures, and very
rarely, in patients without a history of seizures and no prior EEG evidence of
seizures. In the presence of seizures, ADDERALL XR should be discontinued.
Peripheral Vasculopathy, Including Raynaud's phenomenon
Stimulants, including ADDERALL XR, used to treat ADHD are
associated with peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud's phenomenon. Signs
and symptoms are usually intermittent and mild; however, very rare sequelae
include digital ulceration and/or soft tissue breakdown. Effects of peripheral
vasculopathy, including Raynaud's phenomenon, were observed in post-marketing
reports at different times and at therapeutic doses in all age groups throughout
the course of treatment. Signs and symptoms generally improve after reduction
in dose or discontinuation of drug. Careful observation for digital changes is
necessary during treatment with ADHD stimulants. Further clinical evaluation
(e.g., rheumatology referral) may be appropriate for certain patients.
Visual Disturbance
Difficulties with accommodation and blurring of vision
have been reported with stimulant treatment.
Tics
Amphetamines have been reported to exacerbate motor and
phonic tics and Tourette's syndrome. Therefore, clinical evaluation for tics
and Tourette's syndrome in patients and their families should precede use of
stimulant medications.
Prescribing And Dispensing
The least amount of amphetamine feasible should be
prescribed or dispensed at one time in order to minimize the possibility of
overdosage. ADDERALL XR should be used with caution in patients who use other
sympathomimetic drugs.
Patient Counseling Information
Information On Medication Guide
Inform patients, their families, and their caregivers
about the benefits and risks associated with treatment with ADDERALL XR and
should counsel them in its appropriate use. A patient Medication Guide is
available for ADDERALL XR. Instruct patients, their families, and their
caregivers to read the Medication Guide and assist them in understanding its
contents. Give patients the opportunity to discuss the contents of
theMedication Guide and to obtain answers to any questions theymay have. The
complete text of the Medication Guide is reprinted at the end of this document.
Controlled Substance Status/Potential For Abuse, Misuse, And
Dependence
Advise patients that ADDERALL XR is a federally
controlled substance because it can be abused or lead to dependence.
Additionally, emphasize that ADDERALL XR should be stored in a safe place to
prevent misuse and/or abuse. Evaluate patient history (including family history)
of abuse or dependence on alcohol, prescription medicines, or illicit drugs [see
Drug Abuse And Dependence].
Serious Cardiovascular Risks
Advise patients of serious cardiovascular risk (including
sudden death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and hypertension) with ADDERALL
XR. Patients who develop symptoms such as exertional chest pain, unexplained
syncope, or other symptoms suggestive of cardiac disease during treatment
should undergo a prompt cardiac evaluation [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Psychiatric Risks
Prior to initiating treatment with ADDERALL XR,
adequately screen patients with comorbid depressive symptoms to determine if
they are at risk for bipolar disorder. Such screening should include a detailed
psychiatric history, including a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder,
and/or depression. Additionally, ADDERALL XR therapy at usual doses may cause
treatment-emergent psychotic or manic symptoms in patients without prior
history of psychotic symptoms or mania [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Circulation Problems In Fingers And Toes [Peripheral
vasculopathy, including Raynaud's phenomenon]
Instruct patients beginning treatment with ADDERALL XR
about the risk of peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud's Phenomenon, and
in associated signs and symptoms: fingers or toes may feel numb, cool, painful,
and/or may change color from pale, to blue, to red. Instruct patients to report
to their physician any new numbness, pain, skin color change, or sensitivity to
temperature in fingers or toes. Instruct patients to call their physician
immediately with any signs of unexplained wounds appearing on fingers or toes
while taking ADDERALL XR. Further clinical evaluation (e.g., rheumatology
referral) may be appropriate for certain patients [see WARNINGS AND
PRECAUTIONS].
Growth
Monitor growth in children during treatment with ADDERALL
XR, and patients who are not growing or gaining weight as expected may need to
have their treatment interrupted [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Pregnancy
Advise patients to notify their physicians if they become
pregnant or intend to become pregnant during treatment [see Use In Specific
Populations].
Nursing
Advise patients not to breast feed if they are taking
ADDERALL XR [see Use In Specific Populations].
Impairment In Ability To Operate Machinery Or Vehicles
ADDERALL XR may impair the ability of the patient to
engage in potentially hazardous activities such as operating machinery or
vehicles; the patient should therefore be cautioned accordingly.
For more information call 1-800-828-2088
Pharmacist: Medication Guide to be dispensed to patients
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
No evidence of carcinogenicity was found in studies in
which d,l-amphetamine (enantiomer ratio of 1:1) was administered to mice and
rats in the diet for 2 years at doses of up to 30 mg/kg/day in male mice, 19
mg/kg/day in female mice, and 5 mg/kg/day in male and female rats. These doses
are approximately 2.4, 1.5, and 0.8 times, respectively, the maximum
recommended human dose for children of 30 mg/day, on a mg/m² body surface area
basis.
Amphetamine, in the enantiomer ratio present in ADDERALL
XR (d- to l- ratio of 3:1), was not clastogenic in the mouse bone marrow
micronucleus test in vivo and was negative when tested in the E. coli component
of the Ames test in vitro. d,l-Amphetamine (1:1 enantiomer ratio) has been
reported to produce a positive response in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus
test, an equivocal response in the Ames test, and negative responses in the in
vitro sister chromatid exchange and chromosomal aberration assays.
Amphetamine, in the enantiomer ratio present in ADDERALL
XR (d- to l- ratio of 3:1), did not adversely affect fertility or early
embryonic development in the rat at doses of up to 20 mg/kg/day (approximately
8 times the maximum recommended human dose for adolescents of 20 mg/day, on a
mg/m² body surface area basis).
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects
Pregnancy Category C
Amphetamine, in the enantiomer ratio present in ADDERALL
XR (d- to l- ratio of 3:1), had no apparent effects on embryofetal
morphological development or survival when orally administered to pregnant rats
and rabbits throughout the period of organogenesis at doses of up to 6 and 16
mg/kg/day, respectively. These doses are approximately 2 and 12 times,
respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) for adolescents of 20
mg/day, on a mg/m² body surface area basis. Fetal malformations and death have
been reported in mice following parenteral administration of d-amphetamine
doses of 50 mg/kg/day (approximately 10 times the MRHD for adolescents on a
mg/m² basis) or greater to pregnant animals. Administration of these doses was
also associated with severe maternal toxicity.
A study was conducted in which pregnant rats received
daily oral doses of amphetamine (d- to l- enantiomer ratio of 3:1, the same as
in ADDERALL XR) of 2, 6, and 10 mg/kg from gestation day 6 to lactation day 20.
These doses are approximately 0.8, 2, and 4 times the MRHD for adolescents of
20 mg/day, on a mg/m² basis. All doses caused hyperactivity and decreased
weight gain in the dams. A decrease in pup survival was seen at all doses. A
decrease in pup bodyweight was seen at 6 and 10 mg/kg which correlated with
delays in developmental landmarks. Increased pup locomotor activity was seen at
10 mg/kg on day 22 postpartum but not at 5 weeks postweaning. When pups were
tested for reproductive performance at maturation, gestational weight gain, number
of implantations, and number of delivered pups were decreased in the group whose
mothers had been given 10 mg/kg.
A number of studies in rodents indicate that prenatal or
early postnatal exposure to amphetamine (d- or d, l-), at doses similar to
those used clinically, can result in long-term neurochemical and behavioral
alterations. Reported behavioral effects include learning and memory deficits,
altered locomotor activity, and changes in sexual function.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in
pregnant women. There has been one report of severe congenital bony deformity,
tracheo-esophageal fistula, and anal atresia (vater association) in a baby born
to a woman who took dextroamphetamine sulfate with lovastatin during the first
trimester of pregnancy. Amphetamines should be used during pregnancy only if
the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Nonteratogenic Effects
Infants born to mothers dependent on amphetamines have an
increased risk of premature delivery and low birth weight. Also, these infants
may experience symptoms of withdrawal as demonstrated by dysphoria, including
agitation, and significant lassitude.
Labor And Delivery
The effects of ADDERALL XR on labor and delivery in
humans is unknown.
Nursing Mothers
Amphetamines are excreted in human milk. Mothers taking
amphetamines should be advised to refrain from nursing.
Pediatric Use
ADDERALL XR is indicated for use in children 6 years of
age and older.
The safety and efficacy of ADDERALL XR in children under
6 years of age have not been studied. Long-termeffects of amphetamines in
children have not been well established.
In a juvenile developmental study, rats received daily
oral doses of amphetamine (d to l enantiomer ratio of 3:1, the same as in
ADDERALL XR) of 2, 6, or 20 mg/kg on days 7-13 of age; from day 14 to
approximately day 60 of age these doses were given b.i.d. for total daily doses
of 4, 12, or 40 mg/kg. The latter doses are approximately 0.6, 2, and 6 times
the maximum recommended human dose for children of 30 mg/day, on a mg/m² basis.
Post dosing hyperactivity was seen at all doses; motor activity measured prior
to the daily dose was decreased during the dosing period but the decreased
motor activity was largely absent after an 18 day drug-free recovery period.
Performance in the Morris water maze test for learning and memory was impaired
at the 40 mg/kg dose, and sporadically at the lower doses, when measured prior
to the daily dose during the treatment period; no recovery was seen after a 19
day drug-free period. A delay in the developmental milestones of vaginal
opening and preputial separation was seen at 40 mg/kg but there was no effect
on fertility.
Geriatric Use
ADDERALL XR has not been studied in the geriatric
population.