Ongoing FDA Safety Review of Stimulant Mediations Used to Treat ADHD in Children
A recent study published in American Journal of Psychiatry suggests there may be a link between the use of stimulant medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (also known as ADHD) and sudden cardiac death in healthy children. In the study, the investigators compared the use of stimulant medications in two groups of children in the United States: one group of 564 healthy children who died suddenly from unexplained heart related problems and one group of 564 children who died as passengers in a motor vehicle accident. According to the study report, 10 of the healthy children who died suddenly from unexplained heart problems, or 1.8% of the group, were reported to be taking a stimulant medication at the time of death. This compared with only two cases of stimulant use, or 0.4%, among healthy children who had died in motor vehicle accidents. At this time, the FDA is reviewing the results of the study and is unable to conclude that the results of the study affect the overall risk and benefit profile of stimulant medications used to treat ADHD in children. The FDA says that, because of the study's limitations, parents should not stop a child's stimulant medication based on the study. Prescription stimulant medications are used to treat ADHD, a continuous pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsiveness that is more severe than expected for a child's developmental age. Examples of stimulant treatments for ADHD include: dexmethylphenidate (Focalin, Focalin XR), dextroamphetamine sulfate (Dexedrine, Dexedrine Spansules, Dextroamphetamine ER, Dextrostat), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), methamphetamine (Desoxyn), methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Methylin, Methylin ER, Ritalin, Ritalin-LA, Ritalin-SR), mixed salts amphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR), pemoline (Cylert), and generics. For more information, please visit: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm166667.htm
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Ongoing FDA Safety Review of Stimulant Mediations Used to Treat ADHD in Children
A recent study published in American Journal of Psychiatry suggests there may be a link between the use of stimulant medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (also known as ADHD) and sudden cardiac death in healthy children. In the study, the investigators compared the use of stimulant medications in two groups of children in the United States: one group of 564 healthy children who died suddenly from unexplained heart related problems and one group of 564 children who died as passengers in a motor vehicle accident. According to the study report, 10 of the healthy children who died suddenly from unexplained heart problems, or 1.8% of the group, were reported to be taking a stimulant medication at the time of death. This compared with only two cases of stimulant use, or 0.4%, among healthy children who had died in motor vehicle accidents. At this time, the FDA is reviewing the results of the study and is unable to conclude that the results of the study affect the overall risk and benefit profile of stimulant medications used to treat ADHD in children. The FDA says that, because of the study's limitations, parents should not stop a child's stimulant medication based on the study. Prescription stimulant medications are used to treat ADHD, a continuous pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsiveness that is more severe than expected for a child's developmental age. Examples of stimulant treatments for ADHD include: dexmethylphenidate (Focalin, Focalin XR), dextroamphetamine sulfate (Dexedrine, Dexedrine Spansules, Dextroamphetamine ER, Dextrostat), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), methamphetamine (Desoxyn), methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Methylin, Methylin ER, Ritalin, Ritalin-LA, Ritalin-SR), mixed salts amphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR), pemoline (Cylert), and generics. For more information, please visit: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm166667.htm
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