Medications commonly prescribed to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are associated with an increased risk of sudden death, according to new research. Children and teens taking ADHD stimulant medications were seven times more likely to die suddenly than their peers.
As many as 2.5 million children in the United States take ADHD stimulant medications, such as amphetamine, dextroamphetamine (Adderall), methamphetamine or methylphenidate (Ritalin). In the early 1990’s, several reports of sudden, unexplained death in children taking these medications began to raise concerns.
Current prescribing information suggests that physicians request a thorough family history of heart problems and sudden deaths, and perform a physical exam, before starting youngsters on these medications.