Health

ADHD trial to analyze heart risks

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 8, 2007

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Two federal agencies will be examining clinical data from about 500,000 children and adults who have taken prescription medications to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder to assess the drugs' potential for increasing risk of heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular problems.

Anecdotal reports of such adverse events led to recent revisions of the drugs' labels. The analysis by researchers funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Food and Drug Administration will include all drugs currently marketed for treating ADHD. Use of these drugs has increased in recent years among both children and adults.

An analysis of medication expenditures found that three of the drugs -- Concerta, Strattera and Adderall -- ranked among the top five drugs prescribed to children 17 and younger, according to the agencies.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/10/08/hlbf1008.htm.

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