Psychotic side effects of psychostimulants: a 5-year review

Can J Psychiatry. 1999 Oct;44(8):811-3. doi: 10.1177/070674379904400810.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the rate of psychotic and mood-congruent psychotic side effects of stimulant medications in children treated for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Method: A chart review was completed of all children diagnosed with ADHD in an outpatient clinic from January 1989 to March 1995.

Results: Over 5 years, 192 children were diagnosed with ADHD. Ninety-eight children received treatment at the clinic with stimulants. Six children developed psychotic or mood-congruent psychotic symptoms during treatment. Children on medication were followed for an average of 1 year and 9 months.

Conclusions: Awareness of the potential for psychotic side effects from stimulant medications is important when prescribing for children. A large prospective study would be useful to predict the frequency and classification of the side effects in children.

MeSH terms

  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / drug therapy*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / administration & dosage
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylphenidate / administration & dosage
  • Methylphenidate / adverse effects*
  • Pemoline / administration & dosage
  • Pemoline / adverse effects*
  • Psychoses, Substance-Induced / diagnosis*
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Methylphenidate
  • Pemoline