NEJM study finds no CV risks for ADHD drugs

Some of the cloud hanging over attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drugs has evaporated. A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found ADHD drugs didn't increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes or sudden death. The FDA-funded study was part of a government effort to probe ongoing safety concerns about the oft-prescribed drugs.

Researchers looked at data from four health plans covering more than 1.2 million children and young adults who had taken or were taking ADHD drugs, as Pharmalot reports. They found just 81 cases of serious heart problems. The study is one of three the FDA commissioned after receiving reports of heart attacks, strokes and sudden cardiac death in children taking ADHD drugs, Pharmalot notes.

The researchers concluded current ADHD users weren't at increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, and there was no difference in risk for current versus former users. "This large study showed no evidence that current use of an ADHD drug was associated with an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events," the study abstract reads.

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