ADHD Drugs Linked to Teen Sudden Death

A new study suggests that taking ADHD drugs like Ritalin puts young people at a higher risk of sudden cardiac death, WebMd reports. Children in the study who died suddenly and inexplicably were six to seven times likelier to have been taking ADHD medication containing stimulants.

The researchers said that while the relative number of deaths involved was very small, their findings highlighted the need for careful screening of young people for heart conditions before they are prescribed ADHD medication. The FDA, citing concerns about the study's methodology, said it was "unable to conclude that these data affect the overall risk-and-benefit profile of stimulant medications used to treat ADHD in children."
(More ADHD stories.)