Section - CAP Smart Takes

05. Pediatric ADHD Medication Errors Reported to United States Poison Centers

Published on December 1, 2023 Certification expiration date: December 1, 2026 DOI: 10.64239/PI-CAPST1705

David R. Rosenberg, M.D.

Chair of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience - Wayne State University School of Medicine

Key Points

ADHD is one of the most common pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, and pharmacotherapy is the first-line treatment. The study underscores the importance of recognizing how common therapeutic errors with ADHD are and what can be done to reduce such errors.

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Hi! David Rosenberg here for the Psychopharmacology Institute. In this Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Smart Take, the authors investigated pediatric ADHD medication errors reported to the United States Poison Centers from 2000–21. This study is significant, as ADHD is a prevalent pediatric neurodevelopmental disorder, and pharmacotherapy is its primary treatment. Understanding medication prescription accuracy and identifying errors are crucial for enhancing safety and reliability in treating patients with ADHD. The study revealed over 124,000 ADHD medication-related therapeutic errors during the 22-year period, with a 300% increase in annual frequency.

This dramatic rise is partly due to the increase in ADHD prescriptions. Two-thirds of the first-ranked exposures involved children aged 6–12, and three-quarters of these cases were male, predominantly involving amphetamines and related compounds. Notably, nearly 80% of the errors involved single-substance exposures. Whereas over 80% of individuals did not require treatment in a healthcare facility, 2% were hospitalized and 4%

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Learning Objectives:

Evaluate the effects of methylphenidate on pain perception thresholds among pediatric patients with ADHD.
Discuss the likelihood of autism spectrum disorder persisting in children as they get older.
Recognize that depression and anxiety symptoms among youth increased consistently during the early and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic periods.
Identify common vaping cessation methods being used by adolescents as well as factors associated with vaping cessation.
Recognize how common therapeutic errors with ADHD medication may be and what can be done to reduce such errors.

Original Release Date: December 1, 2023

Review and Re-release Date: March 1, 2024

Last Review Date: April 1, 2026

Expiration Date: December 1, 2026

Expert: David Rosenberg, M.D.

Medical Editor: Melissa Mariano, M.D.

Relevant Financial Disclosures:

None of the faculty, planners, and reviewers for this educational activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose during the last 24 months with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

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This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Medical Academy LLC and the Psychopharmacology Institute. Medical Academy is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians

Credit Designation Statement

Medical Academy designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.