ADHD drugs not linked to heart attacks

NASHVILLE, Texas, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Medications used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder do not increase the risk of heart attack in children or young adults, U.S. researchers say.

Dr. William Cooper of Vanderbilt University in Nashville and colleagues examined the medical records from four health plans involving 1.2 million patients taking ADHD drugs including Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta and Strattera from 1998 to 2005.

Current users of ADHD medications and their health records were compared with individuals who did not use ADHD medications, Cooper said.

"It should be reassuring that we found no evidence that these drugs increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events on a population basis," Cooper said in a statement.

"However, each child is unique, so families and providers need to work together to make informed decisions about the best options for their children. This is especially true for children who have any chronic health conditions or special health needs."

The study, published online in the New England Journal of Medicine, found over the seven-year study period, 81 cases of serious heart problems, or about three cases per 100,000, were documented, but there was no significant increase in risk of these events for patients who used ADHD medications compared with those who did not.