Errors related to ADHD medication rose by nearly 300% since 2000: study

A new study found that therapeutic errors related to ADHD medication rose by nearly 300% between 2000 and 2021. The study, published in Pediatrics, looked at data from the U.S.’s National Poison Data System in children and young adults under 20 years old. It found 87,691 therapeutic errors with ADHD medications as the first-ranked substance over that time. There were 5,235 in 2021. Two-thirds of exposures were in children ages six to 12, and three-fourths were in males. Half (50.5%) involved amphetamines and related compounds, followed by guanfacine (23.1%) and methylphenidate (14.7%). Read: What clinicians need to know about ADHD meds The most common errors were inadvertently taking or being given medication twice (53.9%), inadvertently taking or being given someone else’s medication (13.4%), taking or being given the wrong drug (12.9%), and being given or taking medication doses too close together (8.6%). They were most likely to occur in private residences (92.9%), followed by schools (5.5%). Most errors were associated with no consequences or minimal effects, but in 2.3% of cases, the children were admitted to a healthcare facility, and 4.2% had a serious medical outcome—both possibilities being more common among children under six years old. Read: Attention to details: An update on ADHD treatment The study noted that “the increase in ADHD medication errors parallels the increase in ADHD diagnoses.” Currently, about 5% of U.S. children are taking ADHD medication. But the authors also stressed that these therapeutic errors are preventable and more efforts should be made to avoid them. They recommend more attention being put on patient and caregiver education. Specific suggestions included telling caregivers to keep a record of when medication is given or having them use child-resistant pill organizers or dispensing medication in blister packs. Efforts should also be made to develop better child-resistant medication dispensing and tracking systems. Read: 10-month suspension for relief pharmacist who appropriated ADHD drugs from 14 employers

Errors related to ADHD medication rose by nearly 300% since 2000: study

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