ADHD drugs blamed for psychotic kids

13 October 2009 | by Mark Gertskis

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has rejected claims that its adverse reaction reports indicated an "alarming" growth of severe psychotic episodes in children taking drugs to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper today published an article which claimed that at least 30 children taking ADHD drugs experienced psychotic episodes, including suicidal thoughts.

Basing the claim on apparent data from the TGA, the paper alleged that the number of adverse reactions to ADHD drugs in children had doubled in three years.

However a TGA spokesperson told Pharmacy News that the paper's conclusions were based on "raw data taken out of proportion" and there was no report indicating "cause and effect" between the drugs and the alleged adverse events.

National Prescribing Service chief executive Dr Lynn Weekes said the reported adverse reactions were "consistent with the side effect profile" of ADHD drugs but urged caution over making any direct links.

"Reports to TGA are of a suspected link between a drug and the adverse event and so no single event can be assumed to be causal," Dr Weekes said.

"Rates of reporting to TGA are influenced by a number of factors including media coverage and prevalence of use. So while we can't definitely conclude that ADHD medications have directly led to the adverse effects reported, we should take the increase in reports of suicidal thoughts seriously and continue to monitor children closely for side effects."

The Daily Telegraph cited a case of one seven-year-old boy who tried to commit suicide while on Ritalin (methylphenidate).

More than 480,000 prescriptions were issued for Ritalin, fellow methylphenidate brand Concerta, Strattera (atomoxetine) and dexamphetamine during the past year.

At the start of October, PBS subsidy for Concerta extended release formulations were extended to adults.

Tags: adhd | attention deficit hyperactivity disorder | TGA

Add a comment5 Comments

at 11:02 PM on 10 December 2009, carrie wrote:
i can honestly relate to this..i have 2 severe adhd kids one with learning disabilities and anxiety and the other with educational delay slow growth anxiety and aggresive behaviours my kids r 9 and 13 and one is on adderal and risperadone and the other on concerta and risperadone my daughter reacts well to meds while my son continues to outburst at home and school makes for a very unsettled home i tell you but without meds neither of my kids focus at all and i do agree that schools and teachers really need to learn how to deal with kids with any dissorer period because even in ontario my kids fall thro the cracks in school but we cant give up on hope of any kind right
at 08:27 AM on 15 October 2009, Latha wrote:
Having used similar psychotic drugs myself and happy that my children need no such drugs, I want to say that children diognosed with such disorders should first be placed in proper therapy to tackle their problems before jumping into conclusions that they need medication. The therapy then has to investigate their family environment and the support these children recieve for their growth and well being. It is indeed shame that this government does not recognise and support a good natural sorrounding for children. I have a strong belief that the woman going through pregnancies reconsider their living arrangements and provide better place for nurturing these little minds. And yes Australian teachers need to be first taught how to recognise these and give right support to these children. Shame indeed.
at 09:12 PM on 14 October 2009, David NOLTE wrote:
There is a body of evidence -namely from US Doctors Hallowell and Ratey and Daniel Amen who have helped numerous ADULTS not just Children with ADD. Of 900 Adult Consultant Psychiatrists in Victoria ONLY 14 are prepared to treat Adults with ADD. They practice DEFENSIVE medicine and allow in some cases 40 year old prejudices toward Dexamphetamine to stand infront of good contemporary care. The Book DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION by Hallowell and Ratey should be made compulsory reading as a psych textbook. I can supply Case Studies of Addicted patients who have been given up for dead by the Medical System have made astounding recoveries by having their ADD issues addressed. ADD is NOT a disease but a group of personality traits-kind of like being a HUNTER in a FARMING WORLD.I am happy to field questions on this controversial subject via david@nolte.com.au
at 05:39 PM on 13 October 2009, Anne Williamson wrote:
What a load of rubbish that adhd drugs cause psychotic reactions in kids.Only for Ritalin my daughter would have no life or job and i am speaking from long term experience so get your facts straight first before shooting your mouthes off.Maybe the kids having problems now should be medicated and perhaps there would be less violence in the schools.
at 03:55 PM on 13 October 2009, Hannes wrote:
These side effects are well documented - even on the manufacturer's documentation and web-sites and are managed by doctors and parents once children start taking Ratilin. A change in medication will address these side effects. What is not well documented is the effect on children with ADHD whose parents decided not to give them stimulants. The Australian school system does not cater for children with ADHD and lot of these children will develop social problems and drop-out of the school system because they are disabled and struggle to concentrate. We as parents are dammed by the press if we give our children Ritalin and dammed by ADHD experts if we don't. If you child has ADHD in a severe agree there is just nothing else that works. Believe me I tried everything else and stimulants were my last option. I would have loved to put him/her in a specialist school that cater for these children, but our educators do not even recognise ADHD yet.