December 12th, 2011
Large Analysis Confirms Safety of ADHD Medications
Larry Husten, PHD
The cardiovascular safety of ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) drugs has been uncertain. Now a large new study published online in JAMA provides reassurance that the drugs are safe.
Laurel Habel and colleagues analyzed data from more than 440,000 adults, including 150,359 users of ADHD medications, and matched nonusers and found “no evidence of an increased risk of MI, SCD, or stroke associated with current use compared with nonuse or remote use of ADHD medications.” Even in a worst-case scenario, the absolute increase in risk is quite small, the authors said.
Here are the adjusted rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals for serious cardiovascular events:
- current use versus nonuse of ADHD medications: 0.83 (CI, 0.72-0.96)
- new users versus nonusers: 0.77 (CI, 0.63-0.94)
- current use versus remote use: 1.03 (CI, 0.86-1.24)
- new use versus remote use: 1.02 (CI, 0.82-1.28)
In an accompanying editorial, Philip Shaw writes that the study “is the most comprehensive assessment to date of the cardiovascular safety of ADHD medications.” He said the study supports the 2006 decision by the FDA not to place a black box warning on ADHD medications and that it “provides no evidence to support routine” ECGS before initiating drug treatment.
