Global burden of ADHD medication-associated cardiovascular disease, 1967-2023: A comparative analysis using the WHO
Hanseul Cho1, Kyeongmin Lee2, Yi Deun Jeong1
1Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Insights
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications show varied cardiovascular risks. Amphetamines are linked to higher risks, while lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate appear safer for cardiovascular health.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacovigilance
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Psychopharmacology
Background:
- Cardiovascular risk assessment for ADHD medications is limited despite their sympathomimetic effects.
- Global pharmacovigilance data offers a comprehensive approach to evaluating these risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between individual ADHD medications and cardiovascular disease (CVD) using global pharmacovigilance data.
Main Methods:
- Utilized World Health Organization international pharmacovigilance database (1967-2023).
- Calculated reporting odds ratios (ROR) and information components (IC) to assess medication-CVD associations.
Main Results:
- ADHD medications were associated with increased overall CVD risk (ROR 1.60), particularly in females.
- All drugs increased risk for torsade de pointes/QT prolongation, cardiomyopathy, and myocardial infarction.
- Amphetamines were uniquely linked to heart failure, stroke, and cardiac death; methylphenidate showed the lowest CVD association.
Conclusions:
- Cardiovascular risks associated with ADHD medications differ significantly.
- Amphetamines present a higher CVD risk profile.
- Lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate demonstrate comparatively better cardiovascular safety profiles.
Background:
Despite the widespread use of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications and their known sympathomimetic effects on the cardiovascular system, cardiovascular risk assessment of these medications using comprehensive global data is limited. This study investigated the association between individual ADHD medications and cardiovascular disease (CVD) using global pharmacovigilance data.
Methods:
Reports from the World Health Organization international pharmacovigilance database were utilized (1967-2023; total reports, n=131,255,418). Reporting odds ratios (ROR), and information components (IC) were calculated to evaluate the association between each medication and specific CVDs.
Results:
We identified 13,344 CVD cases related to ADHD medications out of 146,489 cases of all reports on ADHD medications. Cumulative reports on ADHD medications have shown a steady increase, notably in adults since 2010. ADHD medications were associated with a higher risk of CVD overall (ROR [95 % CI], 1.60 [1.58-1.63]; IC [IC0.25], 0.63 [0.60]), with a higher association observed in females than in males. Among specific CVDs, all drugs were associated with an increased risk of torsade de pointes/QT prolongation, cardiomyopathy, and myocardial infarction. Conversely, heart failure, stroke, and cardiac death/shock were exclusively associated with amphetamines. Lisdexamfetamine showed a weaker association with all CVDs compared to amphetamines, and methylphenidate exhibited the lowest overall association with CVD. Atomoxetine had the second-highest association with torsade de pointes/QT prolongation.
Conclusions:
The associations between CVDs and ADHD medications vary, with amphetamines posing a higher risk, while lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate exhibit better safety profiles.
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