Psychiatric Reactions to ADHD Medications

A retrospective study confirms that children who receive ADHD drugs might experience symptoms of psychosis or mania.

Medications prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been associated with acute psychiatric symptoms, including hallucinations (commonly, visual and tactile sensations of insects, snakes, or worms) and mania (elevated mood, increased energy, unusual thought patterns). To clarify the capacity for psychostimulants to cause such psychiatric events, FDA investigators reviewed clinical trials, cases of drug-related psychosis reported to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (2002–2005), and manufacturers’ postmarketing surveillance records.

Analysis of 49 pediatric randomized, controlled trails revealed that of 5717 ADHD patients, 11 (0.19%) experienced psychotic or manic events while receiving methlyphenidate, ampheta…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics