Research indicates that cases of poisoning linked to medications prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have more than quadrupled in Australia over the past decade. Data from the NSW Poisons Information Centre (NSWPIC) reveals that in 2023, there were 3,242 reported poisonings, a significant increase from the 795 cases documented in 2014.
The study, led by Amy Thomson, a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney, highlights alarming trends in ADHD medication misuse. It shows that over half of the 17,299 poisonings recorded during this period resulted in hospital admissions, with more than 9,000 cases involving children under the age of 15.
Understanding the Risks of ADHD Medications
While medications like clonidine and Ritalin (methylphenidate) are effective for managing ADHD symptoms, they can pose serious risks if misused either accidentally or intentionally. Thomson noted that the rising number of poisonings may partly correlate with increasing ADHD diagnoses, but emphasized that the rise in clonidine poisonings exceeds the rate of new diagnoses.
“Just one double dose of clonidine can put a child in hospital,” she stated. “With side effects this serious, it’s vital that both families and healthcare professionals are aware of the dangers and provide families with guidance.” The study found that clonidine and Ritalin each accounted for 35 percent of all reported poisonings. Furthermore, these medications were also responsible for the highest rates of hospital presentations.
Challenges in Medication Administration
Clonidine, originally designed to treat hypertension, is often prescribed in smaller doses for ADHD. Thomson pointed out that administering these smaller doses can lead to challenges. “Miscommunication within families is a common issue, especially when both parents inadvertently give their child a dose of medication without realizing the other has done the same,” she explained.
The study also indicated that children’s natural curiosity can lead them to experiment with siblings’ medications. This underscores the critical need for safe storage of medications, keeping them out of reach of young children. Almost three-quarters of the accidental poisonings involved children aged 15 and under. While many incidents were accidental, over a third were attributed to deliberate misuse.
Researchers caution that the actual number of ADHD medication poisonings could be even higher, as the NSWPIC data is self-reported. The number of Australians diagnosed with ADHD has more than doubled between 2013 and 2020.
Recent reports from The West Australian highlighted a significant rise in children in Perth facing developmental and behavioral issues, including ADHD and autism. Families are now waiting over four years to see a paediatrician, with nearly 12,000 primary school-aged children currently on waiting lists as of September 30, 2023—almost double the figure from two years earlier. Currently, only developmental paediatricians can diagnose ADHD in children and prescribe medication.
The combination of increased diagnoses and rising poisoning cases raises important questions about the management of ADHD and the safety protocols surrounding its treatment. As families navigate these challenges, it remains imperative to enhance awareness and education about the safe use of ADHD medications.
