Adzenys XR-ODT, pictured above, is a candy-flavored ADHD medication that hit the US market this month. Image via Neos Therapeutics
A new ADHD medication called Adzenys XR-ODT launched this month in the US. Though the amphetamine is similar to Adderall, the pill has a major difference: It comes in a fruity candy flavor. The FDA approved Adzenys XR-ODT in January for patients diagnosed with ADHD six years and older, and now it's available for doctors in the United States to prescribe.We already know that Adderall is almost identical to meth, so the implications for risk of abuse and addiction are clearly already present in amphetamine-type ADHD medications. Now, thanks in part to the Dallas-based company Neos Therapeutics that launched the drug, there's the added complication of the amphetamine-like substance coming in a tastier and more convenient form. Adzenys XR-ODT pills are round, orange, come in a blister pack, and are available in six different dosages.The company's CEO, Vipin Garg, said that Adzenys hitting the market comes "ahead of back-to-school season," and that they're "launching now at full speed."While some psychiatrists are condemning the release of Adzenys XR-ODT because it could potentially increase the risk of abusing ADHD drugs, others are saying that it's a natural progression in prescription drug development.While supplements and vitamins have been made into sweet, candy-like gummies in an effort to appeal to children, this is the first time that this particular type of amphetamine-type ADHD med has been made available in this iteration.Mixing candy with medication is increasingly becoming a trend in the health industry. Earlier this month, Bloomberg Business Week explored Nestlé's foray into big pharma.Follow Allison Elkin on Twitter.Read: Researchers Say That Smartphones Are Causing ADHD-Like Symptoms in Adults
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