Recently, you ran an article discussing the recreational use of stimulants such as Adderall in the college population. The Spectrum deserves praise for acknowledging this issue, but it didn't go far enough. I can only hope the students lying to doctors to receive these medications are, at the very least, receiving proper counseling from their doctor or pharmacist, but for those purchasing the pills from friends or dealers, they are taking a fairly dangerous medication without knowing all of the risks involved. The drug has been associated with serious cardiovascular events, including death in patients with preexisting conditions such as heart block or a murmur. It should not be used by those with hyperthyroidism. It can cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure in those taking certain antidepressants such as selegeline (brand name EmSam). I can continue to list reasons this is not a drug to be used recreationally, but the point I am hoping to make is students should consult their physician, at the very least, before taking any of these stimulants. The risk is too great to do otherwise.
Sincerely,
Christopher Tanski
PharmD Candidate
University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy
Class of 2014
