Study highlights the benefits and potential risks of ADHD medication, revealing that stimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate reduce the risk of psychiatric hospitalization and improve long-term employment outcomes, though concerns about adverse effects such as increased heart rate and potential for triggering psychosis or mania remain.
By Dr. Liji Thomas, MDMar 24 2024Reviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder , which causes affected individuals to be impulsive, hyperactive, or inattentive, is typically treated with medications and psychosocial measures. Treatment is associated with numerous benefits, such as reduced suicidal ideation and depression, fewer accidents and inadvertent injuries, as well as better long-term employment statistics.
ADHD and stimulants While ADHD medications include both stimulants and non-stimulants, stimulants used to treat ADHD have been reported to improve the level of functioning and quality of life. Short-term trial meta-analysis data indicates the first choice of ADHD stimulants in adults is amphetamine, whereas methylphenidate is often used for treating adolescents and children.
About the study The current Swedish study obtained data from national registries of inpatients and outpatients and those who took medical leave or obtained disability pensions. Over 221,700 individuals between 16 and 65 years of age with a diagnosis of ADHD were included in the study, 55% of whom were male with a mean age of 25 years.
Related StoriesThe mean follow-up period was seven years. Over 25% of treated individuals were hospitalized for psychiatric illness during the follow-up period. The lower effectiveness of methylphenidate in adults could be due to the temporal reduction of efficacy with long-term use, as this drug is typically used as a first-line treatment.
Other favorable outcomes associated with dexamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine, and methylphenidate included a reduced risk of suicidal behavior by 30%, 25%, and about 10%, respectively. Suicidal behavior was 20% more common in individuals treated with atomoxetine, which is a non-stimulant drug that may be prescribed when stimulants are contraindicated or the patient is unwilling to use stimulants.
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