FDA to Appraise ADHD Safety After Reports of Heart Attacks, Deaths

By Elizabeth Rhein

Published on January 09, 2006

Recent studies have shown an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and sudden deaths in both adults and children who take drugs to combat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These study results fall under the FDA category of "serious adverse events," leading them to convene its Drug Safety and Risk Management committee to make further inquiries into the safety of the drugs.

This action follows that of Canada's national health agency, which last year pulled Adderall from the market for six months after 20 sudden deaths in Adderall patients were reported.

There are no specific ADHD drugs targeted by the committee; some of the most frequently prescribed drugs include Adderall XR and Ritalin. When they meet on February 9 and 10 in Gaithersburg, Maryland, the committee will discuss the safety of ADHD medications and whether they should continue to be dispensed to the public, especially to children who have existing heart defects.

Comment on this article →