ADHD Medication Use Raises New Safety Concerns

Recent reports highlight a surge in ADHD medication use among both children and adults, raising concerns about long-term safety, side effects, and persistent drug shortages. Finnish research finds many youths remain medicated well beyond the duration supported by clinical trial data, prompting questions about extended use in developing children. Persistent shortages have forced families to switch abruptly between drugs, sometimes resulting in adverse effects such as increased anxiety and emotional issues. New treatments like centanafadine, a triple reuptake inhibitor, show promise for both adults and children, but broader worries persist about side effects such as poor appetite, sleep disturbances, and potential heart damage. There is also growing concern about the misuse of ADHD medications by students seeking cognitive enhancement without a diagnosis. Pharmacy and mental health professionals, including Gurmat Khangura, are taking on expanded roles in assessments and support for affected individuals and families.