Pediatric ADHD Medication Exposures Reported to US Poison Control Centers

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Toxicology
• Public Health Surveillance
• Pharmacovigilance

Background:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication prescriptions have increased in children and adolescents.
• Poison control centers are a key resource for tracking medication-related adverse events and exposures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the trends and characteristics of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication exposures in individuals aged 0-19 years.
• To identify patterns in pediatric ADHD medication exposures reported to US poison control centers.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of data from the National Poison Data System (2000-2014).
• Examination of reported exposures to ADHD medications, including demographics, medication types, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Over 156,000 ADHD medication exposures were reported between 2000 and 2014, with an initial increase followed by a slight decrease.
• Therapeutic errors constituted the most frequent reason for exposure (41.6%), while intentional exposures were highest among adolescents (50.2%).
• Methylphenidate and amphetamine-based medications were most commonly involved; most cases did not require hospital admission, but 3 deaths were reported.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric exposures to ADHD medications, both unintentional and intentional, represent a growing concern across all age groups in the United States.
• The findings underscore the need for continued monitoring and targeted prevention strategies for ADHD medication safety in children and adolescents.