Why do children with ADHD discontinue their medication?
Sara L Toomey1, Colin M Sox, Donna Rusinak
1Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. sara.toomey@childrens.harvard.edu
Clinical Pediatrics
|May 16, 2012
Summary
Many children discontinue attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication due to side effects or ineffectiveness. Improved management and goal setting are needed for better treatment adherence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children.
- Medication is a primary treatment modality for ADHD, but adherence can be challenging.
- Understanding reasons for medication discontinuation is crucial for optimizing treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors contributing to parent-reported discontinuation of ADHD medication in children.
- To analyze the relationship between communication with healthcare providers and medication adherence.
- To investigate the impact of side effects and perceived effectiveness on treatment cessation.
Main Methods:
- A telephone survey was administered to parents of children aged 6-18 years who recently started ADHD medication.
- Insurance claims data identified eligible participants.
- Data were analyzed to compare characteristics of medication continuers and discontinuers.
Main Results:
- Twenty-one percent of children discontinued ADHD medication within the study period.
- Parents of children who discontinued medication were less likely to have discussed medication risks/benefits with providers (59% vs. 82%).
- Psychological side effects (58% vs. 21%) and perceived inadequate effectiveness were significantly associated with discontinuation.
Conclusions:
- A substantial proportion of children discontinue ADHD medication, frequently due to psychological side effects or perceived ineffectiveness.
- There is a need for enhanced strategies to manage side effects and assess treatment efficacy.
- Improving communication regarding medication risks and benefits may enhance adherence.
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