FDA Warns That ADHD Drugs Containing Methylphenidate May Cause Priapism

The Food and Drug Administration Dec. 17 said it is warning that methylphenidate products, one type of stimulant drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may in rare instances cause prolonged and sometimes painful erections known as priapism.

The FDA said that based on a recent review of methylphenidate products, it has updated the drug labels and patient medication guides to include information about the rare but serious risk of priapism.

Methylphenidate products marketed in the U.S. include:

• Alza Corp.'s Concerta;
• Noven Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Daytrana;
• Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.'s Focalin and Focalin XR;
• Celltech Pharma Ltd.'s Metadate CD and ...