ADHD Drug May Cause Irregular Heartbeat

The use of a common drug to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and young people may slightly increase their risk of developing a heartbeat irregularity, a new study suggests.

Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy. It is sold under various trade names, Ritalin being one of the most commonly known.

The cardiac safety of stimulants, which are known to slightly raise blood pressure and accelerate the heart rate, has been hotly debated, but the evidence is conflicting.

So a team of researchers based in Australia, Canada and South Korea set out to measure the cardiac safety of methylphenidate in children and young people with ADHD.

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