Vayarin

Vayarin is a hot new prescription treatment for ADHD.  Its makers claim that it has very few, if any, side effects.  But, is Vayarin all that it claims to be?

Well, yes, and no.  Vayarin's makers have made several interesting moves in terms of marketing their product.  

First, they have taken the unusual step of making the product available by prescription only.  This makes their product seem like it has passed the FDA's process for drug approval, which includes a fairly extensive clinical trials process to show that the product is both safe and effective.  The problem is that Vayarin is a prescription medical food, not a drug.  So, it actually has not passed the clinical trials process for safety and efficacy that drug treatments have.  Vayarin never claims to have qualified as a drug, as defined by the FDA, but the prescription requirement may deceive some consumers.

Second, they have sponsored a clinical trial of their product.  This isn't very unusual, but the issue is that they claim very few side effects on the basis of their clinical trial, when there are other trials of similar products, which have shown side effects but perhaps at different doses.

This doesn't mean that their product is not effective, but it may not be as helpful and harmless as many people may believe.

For more on Vayarin, and whom it may help, see my article on Vayarin:  Safe and Effective?

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy