Title: Sharp Rise in Medication Errors for Children with ADHD Raises Concerns
Date: Sep. 19, 2023
Author: Marc Lallanilla
A new study has revealed a startling increase in medication errors related to children taking prescription drugs for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The research found that between 2000 and 2021, calls to US poison control centers regarding children’s ADHD medication errors have risen by a staggering 300%.
In 2021 alone, there were over 7,600 poison control calls involving ADHD medications for children and teenagers, equating to one child affected every 100 minutes. This marks a significant surge from just 1,900 calls recorded in 2000. Natalie Rine, the co-author of the study and director of the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, highlighted the correlation between the increased number of medication errors and the rising diagnosis of ADHD among US children over the past two decades.
While the majority (83%) of the reported incidents did not require medical attention, 4% resulted in serious medical outcomes, and 2% necessitated hospitalizations or critical care. Among the poison control incidents, approximately half involved amphetamines, including popular drugs like Adderall, while 23% involved guanfacine and 15% involved methylphenidate (Ritalin). Notably, calls involving guanfacine were found to be more likely to result in serious medical outcomes compared to those involving amphetamines or related compounds.
The study also identified demographic patterns among the cases. Around 67% of incidents involved children between the ages of 6 and 12, and 76% affected males. This skew towards boys can be attributed to the fact that boys are three times more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis than girls.
The analysis of the 20-year study revealed that 54% of the poison control calls were a result of inadvertent double-dosing, where someone accidentally took or was given medication twice. Another 13% of the incidents occurred due to youth mistakenly taking or receiving someone else’s medication, while the same percentage was attributed to the wrong medication being taken or given.
This concerning trend in medication errors involving children with ADHD coincides with a recent study from the University of Michigan that revealed one in four middle and high school students abuse stimulants prescribed for ADHD.
In response to these findings, Dr. Gary A. Smith of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the study’s author, emphasized the importance of prevention and education. He suggested improving patient and caregiver education, developing child-resistant medication dispensing and tracking systems, and potentially transitioning from pill bottles to unit-dose packaging like blister packs. The latter change could aid in ensuring that medication has not been mistakenly taken or given.
With the rising number of children being diagnosed with ADHD and the subsequent increase in medication errors, it is crucial for healthcare providers, caregivers, and patients alike to prioritize safety measures and awareness to avoid preventable harm.