The Food and Drug Administration has expressed its concern over the recent use of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD drug for tackling the problem of childhood obesity. Since the amphetamine Adderall has the side effects in the form of weight loss in ADHD patients, many doctors are now using the drug for overweight teenagers.

The new controversial approach of prescribing the amphetamine Adderall to teen weight loss has been criticized by FDA as it says patients with previous heart problems have suffered sudden death.

Raising ethical questions about the drug's usage, the FDA also warns that Adderall can cause psychiatric problems, such as hearing voices and becoming manic in some patients.

Dr. Fuad Ziai, a pediatric endocrinologist in nearby Oak Lawn, Illinois, who has used Adderall for weight loss in 800 children, says 90 percent of his patients have responded positively to this drug. Adderall, along with a prescription for Glucophage, a diabetes medication is helping many teenagers to cut down the risk of obesity-linked diabetes.

According to CNN, though the drug has not been approved by the FDA for weight loss, it is legal and common for many doctors to prescribe Adderall "off label." Psychiatric problems include erratic mood swings, irritability and crying for no reason. However, the side effects diminish when the dosage is lowered.