Stimulant Medication Side Effects

Stimulants have been used since the 1930s to treat attention disorders in millions of children. The safety of these medications has been shown throughout the years. Still, there can be some side effects.

In children, the major side effects are:

• Loss of appetite
• Problems falling asleep - although some children actually sleep better when on the medication because it settles them down

The following side effects are less common and tend to disappear with time, but may occur:

• Headaches
• Stomachaches
• Jitteriness
• Appears more withdrawn socially

Other uncommon side effects are:

• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• "Rebound" effect - As the medication wears off, your child may become very active, irritable, and hard to get along with. Your child's doctor may have suggestions on how to deal with this.
• In children with tics (uncontrollable movements or sounds), the tics might get worse. In some children a tic disorder might emerge sooner than it would have, because of the medicine. Tell your child's doctor if you notice tics or an increase in tics.
• In a very small number of children, growth may be slowed-but not all doctors agree that this is result of medication.
• Slight increase in blood pressure or pulse

Extremely rare possible association

There has been a controversy over whether stimulants increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events, including sudden death. The FDA monitors studies investigating this important issue. The latest research report as of November, 2011 (see below) is reassuring and advise is given below. For updated advisories go to http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm277770.htm

"11-01-2011] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is updating the public that a large, recently-completed study in children and young adults treated with medication for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has not shown an association between use of certain ADHD medications and adverse cardiovascular events. These adverse cardiovascular events include stroke, heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI), and sudden cardiac death."

The medications studied include stimulants (amphetamine products and methylphenidate), atomoxetine, and pemoline (no longer marketed).

This study did not find an association between use of ADHD medications and cardiovascular events. FDA continues to recommend that healthcare professionals prescribe these medications according to the professional prescribing label.

Healthcare professionals should take special note that:

• Stimulant products and atomoxetine should generally not be used in patients with serious heart problems, or for whom an increase in blood pressure or heart rate would be problematic.
• Patients treated with ADHD medications should be periodically monitored for changes in heart rate or blood pressure.

Patients should continue to use their medicine for the treatment of ADHD as prescribed by their healthcare professional.

Consult with your doctor regarding side effects of stimulants. Most of them can be relieved by one of the following strategies:

• Changing the medication dosage
• Adjusting the schedule of medication
• Using a different stimulant

Remember, finding the right medication and dosage to treat ADHD is a process. Discuss all side effects with your child's doctor. Trying a new medication or changing the dosage of your child's current medication could reduce side effects.

Call your child's doctor IMMEDIATELY if your child experiences serious side effects:

• Feeling fainting
• Dizziness that does not go away after eating
• Complaining of unusual heartbeats
• Chest pains
• Shortness of breath when not exercising
• Becoming more agitated than usual
• Experiencing hallucinations
• Becoming depressed
• Voicing suicidal thoughts
• Your child complains of being very itchy all the time
• Having right upper belly pain not as part of an illness
• Unexplained flu-like symptoms
• Your child has dark urine, yellow eyes or yellow skin.

For more information about side effects of ADHD medication, talk to your child's doctor and/or pharmacist.