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01-11-2009 | Commentary

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Treatment and Sudden Death

Author: Professor Frank M.C. Besag

Published in: Drug Safety | Issue 11/2009

Excerpt

There has been much recent concern, and consequently much publicity, about the possible cardiovascular effects of medication used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in particular the question of whether such medication might be associated with sudden death.[1‐6] Against this background, it is interesting to see the publication of population-based studies of mortality associated with ADHD drug treatment, such as that of McCarthy et al.[7] in this issue of Drug Safety. …

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Anders T, Sharfstein S. ADHD drugs and cardiovascular risk [comment]. N Engl J Med 2006; 354(21): 2296–8PubMedCrossRef

Rappley MD, Moore JW, Dokken D. ADHD drugs and cardiovascular risk [comment]. N Engl J Med 2006; 354(21): 2296–8PubMedCrossRef

Wilens TE, Prince JB, Spencer TJ, et al. Stimulants and sudden death: what is a physician to do? Pediatrics 2006; 118(3): 1215–9PubMedCrossRef

Gould MS, Walsh T, Munfakh JL, et al. Sudden death and use of stimulant medications in youths [online]. Available from URL: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/ajp;166/9/992 [Accessed 2009 Aug 28]

US FDA. Communication about an ongoing safety review of stimulant medications used in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [online]. Available from URL: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/DrugSafetyInformationforHeathcareProfessionals/ucm165858.htm [Accessed 2009 Aug 28]

McCarthy S, Cranswick N, Potts L, et al. Mortality associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug treatment: a retrospective cohort study of children, adolescents and young adults using the General Practice Research Database. Drug Saf 2009; 32(11): 1089–96PubMedCrossRef

George AK, Kunwar AR, Awasthi A. Acute myocardial infarction in a young male on methylphenidate, bupropion, and erythromycin. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2005; 15(4): 693–5PubMedCrossRef

Gandhi PJ, Ezeala GU, Luyen TT, et al. Myocardial infarction in an adolescent taking Adderall. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2005; 62(14): 1494–7PubMedCrossRef

10.

Kanner AM. Depression in epilepsy: prevalence, clinical semiology, pathogenic mechanisms, and treatment. Biol Psychiatry 2003; 54(3): 388–98PubMedCrossRef

11.

Dopheide JA, Pliszka SR. Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder: an update. Pharmacotherapy 2009; 29(6): 656–79PubMedCrossRef

12.

Wilens TE, Faraone SV, Biederman J, et al. Does stimulant therapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder beget later substance abuse? A meta-analytic review of the literature. Pediatrics 2003; 111(1): 179–85PubMedCrossRef

13.

Volkow ND, Swanson JM. Does childhood treatment of ADHD with stimulant medication affect substance abuse in adulthood? [comment]. Am J Psychiatry 2008; 165(5): 553–5PubMedCrossRef

Title: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Treatment and Sudden Death
Author: Professor Frank M.C. Besag
Publication date: 01-11-2009
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: Drug Safety / Issue 11/2009
Print ISSN: 0114-5916
Electronic ISSN: 1179-1942
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/11530340-000000000-00000

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Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Treatment and Sudden Death

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