Are ADHD Medications Safe?
Most experts agree that ADHD medications are safe and effective when they are used under a psychiatrist's or other doctor's care. And ADHD medications have been shown to help teens with ADHD in all sorts of areas, such as reducing smoking, substance abuse, injuries, and automobile accidents, and helping improve relationships in and out of the home.
But stimulants can cause some serious health problems if they're abused — in other words, when they're taken by someone who doesn't need them or when they're taken at a higher dose or more often than a doctor has recommended.
The side effects of stimulant-type ADHD medications when they're used long term at high (abusive) dosages include increased heart rate and blood pressure, tremors (uncontrolled shaking), changes in mood, confusion, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions (when your mind thinks something is true when it really isn't), and irregular breathing.
Overdosing on ADHD medications can also cause dangerously high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat, seizures, severe twitching or uncontrolled movements, sweating, dry mouth and eyes, and vomiting. These medications can also become addictive when they're abused. As with other controlled prescription medications, there are laws against sharing ADHD medications with other people.
Because ADHD medications have the potential to become addictive if they are abused, there has been some concern that people who use these medications to treat their ADHD might be more likely to abuse other substances such as drugs or alcohol. In fact, research has demonstrated that when people with ADHD are treated appropriately with medications under a doctor's supervision, they may be less likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs. (And people who use their ADHD medications appropriately are unlikely to become addicted to these medications.)
Generally, medication is just one part of an ADHD treatment plan. Treatment plans commonly include therapy and adjustments in school and classes.
Reviewed by: Richard S. Kingsley, MD
Date reviewed: February 2011
