ADHD Medications: A Look at Their Safety Profile

By Joan Daughton, MD | October 17, 2012

ADHD medications Each year in this country, physicians prescribe medications to treat ADHD in nearly 3 million children. The safety of these agents has been the subject of some debate.

Here to discuss the issue of the cardiovascular safety of stimulants, atomoxetine(Drug information on atomoxetine), and alpha-agonists used to manage ADHD is Joan Daughton, MD, Assistant Professor of Child Psychiatry at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Dr Daughton is also Training Director of the Creighton-Nebraska Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Training Program and Post Pediatrics Portal Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Dr Daughton also details the essentials of a baseline assessment and cardiovascular evaluation before ADHD therapy is initiated and briefly reviews scientific statements issued jointly by the American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatrics on the overall safety of medications to treat ADHD and specifically in children with underlying cardiovascular abnormalities.

ADHD Medications
ADHD Medications

References
• Cooper WO, Habel LA, Sox CM, et al. ADHD drugs and serious cardiovascular events in children and young adults. N Engl J Med. 2011;365:1896-1904. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1110212. Accessed October 17, 2012.
• Treatment of ADHD in children with tics: a randomized controlled trial. Tourette's Syndrome Study Group. Neurology. 2002;58:527-536.
• Vetter VL, Elia J, Erickson C, et al. Cardiovascular monitoring of children and adolescents with heart disease receiving medications for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young Congenital Defects Committee and the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing. Circulation. 2008;118;2407-2423.
• Erratum in: Circulation. 2009;120:e55-9.

TOPIC INDEX

• ADHD
• Allergy
• Asthma
• Atopic Dermatitis
• Autism
• Bacterial Conjunctivitis
• Developmental/Genetic Disorders
• Epilepsy
• Failure to Thrive
• Food Allergies
• GI Disorders
• Lice Treatments
• Obesity
• Respiratory Tract Diseases
• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Skin Diseases
• Vaccines
• Vitamin D Insufficiency

FROM PHYSICIANS PRACTICE

Five Steps to Improving Patient Access
Judy Capko, May 21, 2013
Patient access is getting increased attention through reform initiatives. Here are five steps you can take to make sure patients get appropriate access to care in your office.

Growing HIPAA Threat – Ignore Windows XP at Your Own Peril
Marion K. Jenkins, May 21, 2013
Chances are good that you have some major ticking software time bombs lurking in your medical practice's computer environment, namely Windows XP and Server 2003.

Finding Physician Work-Life Balance in the Small Moments
Jennifer Frank, MD, May 21, 2013
At my practice and at home, things are always busy. There's laundry or homework, or a patient with needs.

Three Areas to Reduce Costs at Your Medical Practice
Greg Mertz, May 19, 2013
By taking a hard look at reducing costs for staffing, overhead, and technology at your medical practice, you may see increased physician compensation.

Dos and Don’ts for Starting a Physician Blog
Michael Woo-Ming, MD, May 18, 2013
Starting a physician blog can provide your medical practice with marketing benefits, but it's important to do it right.

ADHD Medications: A Look at Their Safety Profile

Join the Conversation