Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America
Volume 17, Issue 2 , Pages 459-474, April 2008

Understanding the Risk of Using Medications for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with Respect to Physical Growth and Cardiovascular Function

Child and Adolescent Treatment and Preventive Intervention Research Branch, Division of Services and Intervention Research, National Institute of Mental Health, Room 7147, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20892-9633, USA

The effects of stimulant medications and atomoxetine on physical growth and on cardiovascular function are reviewed in light of the most recent data, with attention to clinical implications and research needs. Although these medications have a favorable benefit/risk profile and do not induce clinically significant changes in growth or cardiovascular function in the majority of cases, careful patient monitoring is needed to identify individuals at risk for negative outcomes. More research is needed to elucidate the mechanism of growth suppression to estimate better the risk for rare but life-threatening events and test the effectiveness of monitoring procedures.

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 The opinions and assertions contained in this report are the private views of the author and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, or the National Institute of Mental Health.

PII: S1056-4993(07)00124-1

doi:10.1016/j.chc.2007.11.010

Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America
Volume 17, Issue 2 , Pages 459-474, April 2008