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The Hidden Dangers of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Medications

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Introduction

For almost a century, people with ADHD have been using medications to stabilize or

treat its symptoms. The medications have common adverse reactions, including nervousness, loss

of appetite, insomnia, headache, nausea, and stomach ache (Emilsson et al., 2017). As Emilsson

et al. (2017) explained, the medications have other hidden, more life-threatening adverse

reactions. Based on empirical evidence, ADHD medications increase the probability of

cardiovascular issues such as stroke, acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, sudden death,

and high blood pressure. In this regard, this paper discusses the above adverse reactions

associated with using ADHD drugs.

Discussion

Cardiovascular issues are the most remarkable adverse reactions associated with ADHD

medications. Healthcare providers usually prescribe stimulants to treat the condition. The

common stimulants they prescribe include Methylphenidate (Metadate, Daytrana),

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin), Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine),

and Amphetamine (dextroamphetamine, levoamphetamine) (Kooij et al., 2019). Such stimulants

can increase heart rate, leading to an elevated risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and

seizures (Kooij et al., 2019). Ultimately, such issues increase the probability of cardiovascular

issues. The danger is higher in cardiac patients (Kooij et al., 2019). Thus, there is a need for a

thorough body examination by a qualified healthcare expert before using such drugs to treat

ADHD.

Various empirical studies provide adequate proof of the hidden dangers of the drugs used

for ADHD treatment. In their cohort study, Cooper et al. (2011) explored the cardiovascular

issues experienced by young people aged between 2 and 24 after using medications to treat
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ADHD. Their approach involved analyzing patient records and health plan data in four states in

the U.S. The outcomes indicated that the drugs increased the probability of stroke, acute, sudden

death, and myocardial infarction. However, it is vital to acknowledge that the outcomes indicated

that the risk is not very high.

In a different study, Shin et al. (2016) explored whether methylphenidate caused

cardiovascular events when used to treat ADHD in children and adolescents. The sample used

had 1224 aged 17 and below diagnosed with ADHD. The selected participants had at least one

experience of treatment with methylphenidate. The outcomes indicated that treatment with

methylphenidate increased the rates of myocardial infarction and arrhythmias, which are some of

the severe cardiovascular events. However, the study found the absolute risk to be low. A

remarkable difference from the study by Cooper et al. (2011) is that Shin et al. (2016) did not

find significant evidence of an increase in the probability of stroke after treatment with

methylphenidate.

In their study, Latronica et al. (2021) explored the cardiovascular impacts of

amphetamines on older adults with ADHD. The sample comprised 13,233 individuals aged

above 65. The sample included individuals diagnosed with ADHD but had not used medications

such as amphetamines for treatment (Latronica et al., 2021). Latronica et al. (2021) designated

such individuals to the control group. The outcomes indicated that the older adults with ADHD

that used amphetamines had higher heart and blood pressure rates than the peers in the control

group. Also, the outcomes indicated that the individuals that used amphetamines had

significantly higher rates of cardiovascular issues. Some had experienced a stroke. Latronica et

al. (2021) also found an increase in acute myocardial infarction cases. Thus, the study provides

evidence that the medications for ADHD have hidden dangers.

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The trend suggests that individuals that use ADHD medications have a relatively higher

probability of experiencing cardiovascular issues. Thus, the focus of the users and healthcare

providers should not be on the common side effects only. However, the trends noted in the

empirical studies suggest that the hidden risks vary based on the medication. For instance,

amphetamines increase the risk of stroke, while methylphenidate does not. Despite this, the

impact variations might be caused by age differences. As Kooij et al. (2019) noted, the risk of

cardiovascular events is higher in individuals that already have cardiac issues. Older adults, for

instance, have a higher risk of stroke and other cardiovascular issues than young people. Thus,

the issue might explain why studies have found the risk of stroke after using ADHD medications

to be relatively higher in adults than in children. Despite the differences, healthcare providers

should assess a patient's risk of hidden dangers before prescribing ADHD medications.

Conclusion

ADHD is a mental health issue that sometimes requires medication to control symptoms.

However, most people are likely to consider the common side effects that may not last long or

may not be severe. As explained, the medications increase the risk of other dangers that can lead

to death, especially cardiovascular events. Thus, it is vital to always be cautious of the possible

hidden dangers before taking or prescribing the medications.

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References

Cooper, W. O. et al. (2011). ADHD drugs and serious cardiovascular events in children and

young adults. New England Journal of Medicine, 365(20), 1896-1904.

10.1056/NEJMoa1110212

Emilsson, M., Gustafsson, P. A., Öhnström, G., & Marteinsdottir, I. (2017). Beliefs regarding

medication and side effects influence treatment adherence in adolescents with attention

deficit hyperactivity disorder. European child & adolescent psychiatry, 26, 559–571.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-016-0919-1

Kooij, J. J. S. et al. (2019). Updated European Consensus Statement on diagnosis and treatment

of adult ADHD. European Psychiatry, 56(1), 14–34.

Latronica, J. R., Clegg, T. J., Tuan, W. J., & Bone, C. (2021). Are amphetamines associated with

adverse cardiovascular events among elderly individuals? The Journal of the American

Board of Family Medicine, 34(6), 1074-

1081. https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2021.06.210228

Shin, J. Y., Roughead, E. E., Park, B. J., & Pratt, N. L. (2016). Cardiovascular safety of

methylphenidate among children and young people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity

disorder (ADHD): nationwide self-controlled case series study. BMJ, 353. 1-8.

i2550 doi:10.1136/bmj.i2550
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