SIDE EFFECTS OF
ADHD MEDICATIONS (DRUGS)
ADHD Drug - Side Effects
Common brand name stimulants, also known as ADHD drugs, include Ritalin,Concerta, Adderall, Metadate, Vyvanse, Provigil.
ADHD Drug Warnings:There have been 44 warnings from eight countries (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, France and Singapore) warning that ADHD drugs/stimulants cause harmful side effects. These include the following (note that some warnings cite more than one side effect, so the list below may not be equal to the total number of warnings):
13 warnings on stimulants causing heart problems
10 warnings on stimulants causing mania/psychosis
9 warnings on stimulants causing cardiovascular problems
8 warnings on stimulants causing death
4 warnings on stimulants causing hallucinations
4 warnings on stimulants causing depression
4 warnings on stimulants causing violence, hostility or aggression
4 warnings on stimulants causing seizures
3 warnings on stimulants causing agitation or irritability
3 warnings on stimulants causing anxiety
2 warnings on stimulants causing suicide risk/attempts
2 warnings on stimulants causing addiction or dependence.
ADHD Drug Studies:There are 25 studies from five countries (United States, Australia, Denmark, Canada and Italy) showing that ADHD drugs/stimulants cause harmful side effects. These include the following (note that some studies cite more than one side effect, so the list below may not be equal to the total number of studies):
5 studies on stimulants causing addiction/medication abuse
5 studies on stimulants causing heart problems
5 studies on stimulants showing lack of efficacy of the drug
4 studies on stimulants causing stunted growth
2 studies on stimulants causing death
1 study on stimulants causing suicide risk/attempts
1 study on stimulants causing violence
1 study on stimulants causing homicidal ideation
1 study on stimulants causing irritability
1 study on stimulants causing depression
1 study on stimulants causing mania, psychosis and hallucinations
Side Effects of ADHD Drugs
Black box warnings for ADHD medications
Dexmethylphenidate and methylphenidate should be used cautiously in patients with a history of alcoholism because prolonged administration can lead to physical and psychological drug dependence.
Dextroamphetamine/amphetamine, dextroamphetamine and methamphetamine should not be used in patients with cardiac disease. These stimulants can cause increases in blood pressure and heart rate and can lead to myocardial infarction and sudden unexplained death (SUD).
Atomoxetine increases the risk of suicidal ideation and/or suicidal behavior. Patients should be closely monitored while taking atomoxetine.
Dextroamphetamine/amphetamine, dexmethylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate should be used cautiously in patients with a history of substance abuse because prolonged administration can lead to physical and psychological drug dependence. Dextroamphetamine/amphetamine has a high potential for abuse and is contraindicated for use in this setting.
Long-Term Risks of ADHD Medications
In this article
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Heart Disease or High Blood Pressure
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Seizure or Irregular Heartbeat
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Abuse or Addiction
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Psychiatric Problems
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Skin Discoloration
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How to Weigh the Risks
Heart Disease or High Blood Pressure
Some ADHD drugs are "stimulants." They can raise your blood pressureand speed up your heart rate. If you've already got an issue with your heart, these medicines could be risky. Watch out for:Amphetamine (Evekeo)Dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR, Dexedrine, ProCentra, Zenzedi)Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin, Focalin XR)Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)Methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate, Methylin, Ritalin, Quillivant)Another ADHD medication, atomoxetine (Strattera), is not a stimulant, but it has been linked to seizures and irregular heartbeats. So the FDA suggests people with a history of those problems stay away from it.
Seizure or Irregular Heartbeat
Another ADHD medication, atomoxetine (Strattera), is not a stimulant, but it has been linked to seizures and irregular heartbeats. So the FDA suggests people with a history of those problems stay away from it.
Abuse or Addiction
Some people misuse ADHD stimulant drugs. They might crush the pills and snort them to get high, which can lead to a dangerous overdose.If you don't have a history of substance abuse, it's unlikely you'll go down that road. But if you do, you could be at risk for misusing your ADHD drugs.Talk to your doctor honestly about your past or current drug abuse. He can help you decide if ADHD drugs are OK for you.
Psychiatric Problems
ADHD drugs may be tied to some mental health issues, but it's rare. For instance, some people have reported behavior problems like aggression and hostility. Others say they developed symptoms of bipolar disorder.The FDA has also warned that there's a slight risk that stimulant ADHD drugs could lead to mood swings or symptoms of psychosis -- like hearing things and paranoia.
Skin Discoloration
The methylphenidate transdermal system (Daytrana) skin patch has been associated with a skin condition known as chemical leukoderma. This condition causes permanent loss of skin pigmentation at the place where the patch is applied.
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Your doctor may want to run a few tests to see if you have conditions that might not mix well with ADHD drugs. For instance, he can check to see if you have high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, or other kinds of heart disease.Other conditions might bump up your risks from ADHD drugs. Tell your doctor if you have one of these:
Allergy or sensitivity to stimulants
GlaucomaLiver or kidney disease
History of mental illness
Motor tics or Tourette's syndrome
Overactive thyroid
Let him know if you're taking other medicines or supplements. Some could react badly with ADHD drugs.Once you start taking your ADHD medicine, see your doctor for regular checkups to make sure you're not having any bad side effects.
WebMD Medical Reference