Some ADHD Drugs May Increase Psychosis Risk

A commonly prescribed class of drugs used to treat ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) may slightly increase the risk of developing psychosis in teens and young adults.

The stimulant medications in question, amphetamines, go by the brand names Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine).

Researchers examined health insurance claims on more than 220,000 people between the ages of 13 and 25 diagnosed with ADHD. They were prescribed either an amphetamine medication or methylphenidate, which is known by the brand names Ritalin and Concerta.

Results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that one out of every 486 ADHD patients that started on an amphetamine developed psychosis and subsequently started on an antipsychotic drug. For those on methylphenidate, the figure was one in 1,046.

The study only looked at new users of amphetamine or methylphenidate. Researchers noted that the risk of psychosis appears to happen early on, and if someone has been on an amphetamine for a long time with no issues, there’s likely no need to switch medications.

However, they say that because the two classes of drugs have similar effectiveness, it’s important for healthcare providers to discuss with ADHD patients the risks associated with each drug and why they are prescribing one over the other.

In the US, about 5 million people under the age of 25 are prescribed a medication for ADHD.

  • Articles
    • Health Topics Articles
      • Antidepressants and Anxiety Meds
      • Anxiety and Depression
      • Environmental Health
        • Microplastics
      • Health
      • Heart Health Archives
      • Mental Health
      • Microorganisms
        • Microbiome
      • Pregnancy
        • Breastfeeding
      • Tests and Screenings
      • Tests and Testing
      • Treatments
        • IVF
    • Medical Conditions Articles
      • COVID-19
      • cvd
      • Disorders
        • ADHD
        • Cardiovascular Disorder
        • Endocrine
        • Reproductive Disorder
        • Sleep Disorders
          • Sleep Apnea
      • Medical Conditions
        • Arthritis
        • Autoimmune Archives
        • Cancers
          • Breast Cancer
        • Chronic Pain
        • Depression
        • Disease
          • Allergies
          • Alzheimer's disease
          • Autoimmune Disease
            • Celiac Disease
          • Cancer
          • Diabetes
          • Epilepsy
          • GERD
          • Mpox
          • multiple sclerosis
        • Earwax
        • frontotemporal dementia
        • Fungal Infections
        • Hair Loss
        • Heart Disease
        • High Blood Pressure
        • HIV
        • Low T
        • Lung Disease
          • Asthma
        • Motion Sickness
        • Parkinson's Archive
        • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
        • primary progressive aphasia
        • Rash
          • Hives
        • Skin Condition
        • Spleen Conditions
        • Symptom
          • Erectile Dysfunction
        • Thyroid Disease Archives
        • Tuberculosis
      • Symptoms
        • Inflammation
          • Plantar Fasciitis
        • Voice
      • Syndrome
    • Medication Articles
      • Drug Interactions/Side Effects
      • Medications
        • Antibiotics
      • OTC
      • Prescription
    • Menopause
    • Wellness Articles
      • Body Health
        • Gut Health
      • Wellness
        • Alternative Healthcare
          • Alternative Medication
          • Alternative Therapy
        • Fitness
          • Exercise
          • Weight Loss
        • Nutrition
          • Diet
          • Food
          • Nutrients
          • Supplements
  • Blogs
  • Culture Desk
    • Reviews
      • Book Review
      • Film Review
      • TV Series Review
  • Eat and Delete
  • Featured Articles Catalogue
  • Featured Topics
  • Features
    • Ask The Pharmacist
    • Celebrity Medical Conditions
    • COVID-19: Updates
    • Fast Facts
    • FDA
    • FDA Watch
    • Featured Articles
    • First Person
    • First Person
    • Health Buzz
    • Health Pulse
    • Healthy Skeptic 2
    • Healthy Skeptic new
    • Issues Related to Healthcare
    • Need to Know
    • Quick Hits
    • Regenerative Medicine Series
    • Regenerative Medicine Series
    • Your Meds
  • MedShadow Articles
    • Health Journalism
    • Patient Story Articles
    • Protect from the Side Effects of Medication
  • Most Timely
  • News
    • ADHD News
    • Diabetes News
    • E-Cigarette News
    • New Stories
    • Opioid News
    • Steroids News
  • Podcast
    • Power to the Patient Podcast
  • Press Releases
    • Media Impact: Guest Articles
    • Media Impact: Quoted
  • Resources
    • Downloadables
  • Videos
    • Medical Animation Videos
    • MedShadow TV
    • Nutrition Videos
      • Food as Medicine
    • Patient Story