ADHD meds may cause cardiac death in healthy children

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety warning recently about a possible association between the use of stimulant medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, known as ADHD, and sudden cardiac death in healthy children. 

Kids taking psychotropic drugs must get heart test

The American Heart Association and other leading groups have expressed concern regarding reports of sudden deaths of children and adolescents treated with psychotropic medications such as Ritalin, Adderall, Prozac, Paxil and others. Children taking these medications are at risk of developing serious or life threatening cardiac conditions and should have ECG screenings prior to starting on these medications.

Parents of children or teenagers who are about to take or who already take psychotropic drugs are encouraged to take their children to a pediatrician or family doctor for a screening EKG heart test, as part of CompuMed’s CardioGramKids Pediatric Screening Program. 

According to a 2008 report in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, approximately 6.7 percent of children in the U.S. are taking these medications for emotional and behavioral problems like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly referred to as ADHD. Unfortunately, the number of children prescribed these medications is increasing; A bill likely to pass in Oregon will allow psychologists to prescribe them in addition to pediatric, primary care and psychiatric health specialists. CompuMed's CardioGramKids will enable physicians and psychologists to screen the children in their care.

The FDA also warned parents that they should not stop a child's stimulant medication based on the study. The FDA safety communication goes on to say, "That physicians follow the current prescribing information (labeling) for these products, which recommends that children, adolescents or adults who are being considered for treatment with ADHD drug products work with their health care professional(s) to develop a treatment plan that includes a careful health history for cardiovascular disease in the child and his or her family. This includes performing a physical exam with special focus on the cardiovascular system and consideration of further tests such as a screening electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, if the history or examination suggests underlying risk for or the presence of heart disease."