FDA: ADHD Drugs Can Cause Hallucinations in Children

Ritalin, Adderall, and other popular brands of drugs for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can cause frightening hallucinations and other psychosis symptoms in children, even when taken as directed, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In a newly released study, FDA researchers focused on the results of 49 clinical studies conducted by drug companies and found that the drugs can cause psychosis and mania in patients. In some cases, children taking the drugs as prescribed had feelings that worms, bugs, or snakes were crawling on their skin or felt as if they were running into walls, researchers said.

About five percent of American children between the ages of six and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, meaning about two million children have the disorder may be experiencing hallucinations and other psychosis symptoms caused by drugs taken to control the condition.

Drugs named in the study include Novartis AG’s Ritalin and Focalin XR, Shire Plc’s Adderall XR and Daytrana patch, Johnson & Johnson’s Concerta, Eli Lilly and Co’s Strattera and Celltech Pharmaceuticals Inc’s Metadate CD.

Rare but Severe Symptoms Reported

Few children experienced the hallucinations, mania, and other psychosis symptoms as a result of taking ADHD, but researchers said once the children stopped taking the drugs, the symptoms stopped. Also, children taking placebos in clinical studies did not experience any such symptoms. Researchers said once children experiencing the symptoms stopped taking the ADHD drugs, the symptoms stopped immediately.

Parents, Physicians Should Be Aware

The FDA is urging parents of children with ADHD and physicians to be aware of the possibility that psychosis, mania, and similar psychiatric symptoms can be caused by taking the drugs. Symptoms of ADHD include restlessness, impulsiveness, inattention, and distractibility which can disturb a child’s ability to pay attention in school and maintain social relationships.

The FDA researchers said physicians should be sure to discuss the potential side effects of ADHD drugs with parents and children in order to help the patients understand and cope with their anxiety if such psychosis symptoms should occur.

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