Deaths, Ill Effects of ADHD Drugs Cited

By AP Wire Service

WASHINGTON (AP) — Twenty-five people died and 54 more suffered serious cardiovascular problems after they took drugs to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder between 1999 and 2003, the government says.

Children accounted for 19 of the deaths and 26 of the cases of nonfatal cardiovascular problems, including heart attack, stroke, hypertension, palpitations and arrhythmia, according to a Food and Drug Administration report released Wednesday.

The FDA report also includes data on 26 more deaths between 1969 and 2003 in ADHD drug patients. Those include death by suicide, intentional overdose, drowning, heatstroke and from underlying disease.

The report came out a day before an FDA panel was to discuss new ways to examine the potential cardiovascular risks of the drugs, which include amphetamines such as Adderall, and methylphenidates, sold as Ritalin, Concerta, Methylin and Metadate.

Sales of drugs to treat ADHD have increased sharply in recent years.