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High Dosage of ADHD Drugs Linked to Risk of Psychosis

Taylor English
Taylor English

A recent study analyzing health records of more than 4,000 patients found a strong link between high dosages of prescribed amphetamines and the onset of psychosis.  While correlation is not causation, this study found a very concerning dose-response relationship, meaning that the risk rose as the dosage amount rose.   The study was limited to amphetamines, such as Adderall, and did not include Ritalin, which is not an amphetamine.

Although a single study does not prove causation, the study's findings warrant a high degree of caution.  Organizations serving young people diagnosed with ADHD need to be aware of the possibility of bad side effects, and possibly alert parents to this study's findings.

Patients taking the highest dosages — more than 40 milligrams of Adderall, 100 mg of Vyvanse or 30 mg of dextroamphetamine — were 5.3 times more likely to develop psychosis than patients taking no stimulants.  The medium dosage — 20 mg to 40 mg of Adderall, 50 mg to 100 mg of Vyvanse or 15 mg to 30 mg of dextroamphetamine — was linked to a 3.5 times higher risk. It's not clear whether taking less than 20 mg of Adderall, 50 mg of Vyvanse or 15 mg of dextroamphetamine is associated with an increased risk of psychosis, Moran said.
www.nbcnews.com/...
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Taylor English
Taylor English

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