8 Years After it’s OK For Kids US FDA Approves Concerta for Adults

Post from: Adult ADD Strengths

So now you know how the US Government feels about Adults with ADHD. 2nd class citizens? An after thought? We’ll eventually get around to you, but you’re not really that important.

8 Years. Count em. Almost a decade. It has been used off label for quite some time, but now it’s “officially approved” by the FDA as medication for adults with ADHD. Maybe it’s not just the FDA’s fault, maybe its the manufacturer’s Mcneil Pediatrics/ Janssen-Ortho. Maybe both.

For the clinically inclined types, here’s the Medscape CME (free login required) on it. Here’s the detailed Concerta Prescribing Information PDF.

If this Health Canada page is accurate, it looks like Concerta was approved for use in adults in Canada on April 15, 2008, nearly 3 months ago. Quite surprising. In Canada, we’re often several years behind the US when it comes to Adult ADHD. Or even ADHD in children.

Brand Name: Concerta
Source: Janssen-Ortho Inc.
Active Ingredient: Methylphenidate hydrochloride
Comments: New indication: Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults (>18 years of age); TER(18mg, 27mg, 36mg, 54mg)ORL
Date: 2008-04-15
DIN: N/A
Therapeutic Class:CNS Stimulant

Why do you think it took so long for this to happen? What does it say about how Adults with ADHD are viewed or ignored by the government/medical system?

Do you think Adults with ADHD are ever going to start demanding that their government(s) and medical systems treat Adult ADHD as least as seriously as they treat ADHD in children?

I’m not saying that Children with ADHD are treated seriously enough or that they have enough resources, they aren’t and they don’t.

But Adults with ADHD are treated much worse.

And since ADHD is the 2nd most genetically inherited condition after height, if you don’t treat them well, what do you think will be the outcomes for their kids with ADHD?