New ADHD study shows that children and teens taking ADHD medication, methylphenidate, are at more risk in developing heart problems. (Photo : Getty Images/ Brendan Smialowsk)
A new study reveals that taking attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication such as Ritalin (methylphenidate) is associated with developing heart problems in children and teenagers. Under the study, a higher percentage of kids and teens taking methylphenidate were found to have Arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythm.
The study showed that children and teenagers exposed to methylpenidate were 61 percent more at risk of developing heart arrhythmias during the first two months use of the medication. The children have no significant increased danger of ischemic stroke, hypertension or heart failure.
"While the risk of myocardial infarction was not significant overall, we found an increased risk after the first week of treatment, which remained significantly rose for the first two months of continuous treatment," the researchers said in a statement published in BMJ.
An international team of researchers used data of 114, 647 children and teenagers from South Korea who received ADHD medication methylphenidate for at least one time. From 2008 to 2011, 1, 224 children were found to have cardiovascular problems.
The results revealed that 864 children and teens who took ADHD medication developed cardiovascular ailments. There were 395 children with high blood pressure, 67 had strokes, 57 had heart attacks and 44 had heart failure.
Researchers found that the children were more exposed to developing arrhythmia in the first three days of their treatment. The risk slowly disappears after taking the medication for more than 56 days. The risk of developing arrhythmia is also high in children with congenital heart disease.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It targets the brain and nerve chemicals that are responsible for the hyperactivity and impulse control of an individual. It is used for treating patients diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD), ADHD and Narcolepsy.
University of South Australia senior author Nicole Pratt warned that parents should not change the medication of their kids based on the results of the ADHD study. In a statement obtained by Reuters, she said that parents should talk to the child's doctor regarding any health concerns.
Pratt also said that when a child really needs the medication, their heart rate and blood pressure should be checked regularly to lessen any possible risk. She also encouraged testing the study in other populations to verify the findings.
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