ADHD Medication Side Effects: No Genetic Damage
ByJust-Released Study Finds No Genetic Damage From Taking ADD/ADHD medication
Contrary to some earlier findings, the results of a new study reveal that the most common medications for ADD/ADHD – Ritalin, Adderall and Concerta – do not cause genetic damage in children.
The research, conducted by the National Institutes of Health and Duke University, studied 63 children in all, ages ranging from six to 12 years of age. Each met the full criteria diagnosis for ADHD. None, however, had previously been treated with prescription stimulant medications.
The students were divided into two groups. Some of the students were treated with Ritalin LA or Concerta; the other group took Adderall. Each child’s blood was sampled prior to the administering of the medication and again after three months of use. Forty-seven students actually completed the study.
The researchers failed to discover any significant genetic differences between these two groups. Each, moreover, responded well to the medication they were given.
The co-author of the study Kristine L. Witt cautioned that while this is good news for parents, the study didn’t necessarily provide “final proof” that stimulants which treated ADHD don’t do genetic damage.
The results, though, certainly bolster the “growing body of evidence that therapeutic levels of these medications do not damage chromosomes,” according to Dr. Donald R. Mattison.
The study was published on the online version of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP). The Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) funded the study. Both of these organizations are part of the National Institutes of Health. The summary of the study can be read here.
This study helps to establish one aspect of the safety of medication for ADD and ADHD.
The best approach to safety for ADHD medication, is to know as much as possible. You can learn all that you need to know with my free report, and ADHD Medication Mastery Course, by visiting here: ADHD Medication Mastery.
Best,
Dr. Kenny
p.s. please leave your comments below
Technorati Tags: Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin LA, ADHD, Medication, NIMH
Thanks for the info, I would be interested in long term effects studies. How long were these children monitored? What happens during puberty? I have heard that Ritilan can cause depression in teens who have been on it long term. Is this true?
Janet
This is a really hot topic, I’ve seen several references to this article over the blogosphere. You did a great job of summarizing the article and its contents!
I sincerely hope these conclusions on ADHD medications and genetic damage are confirmed and replicated by other studies soon. Keep up the good work!
While I do not consider the Duke University study the end all be all as far as completely eliminating the idea that stimulants may cause genetic damage to children taking them over the long term it does give me hope that this is indeed true.
Great write up, made the report quite accessible.
I am worried about the side effects of ritalin, i have heard from many it cause chemical imbalances in the brain and is linked to depression. Surely there is another approach to treatment that is as effective as the chemical route?
I’m glad this was just now studied :-/
To the poster above me: I’ve heard things like that, too and it really would not surprise me at all. I took Concerta (the 12 hour form of Ritalin) for about two years until I recently was switched to Vyvanse and I really think the Concerta messed me up pretty good. I think Concerta is an awful, awful medicine that should not be given to anyone especially not young children. I’m sure you parents think it’s great because they shut up and do their work but you don’t know how it really makes them feel and how it will affect them in the long run. These are powerful drugs and I really do not think their usage can go without consequence.
I think that it is great thatRitalin, Adderall and Concerta – do not cause genetic damage in children. these are the most common medicine that children take.
I noticed a while back you had a price list for the available medications for ADD/ADHD, but it is no longer available. I was wondering if you have anything like that available now? I am trying to help out a friend of mine who has no prescription coverage and give him as much information as I can. Anything you have to offer would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks so much