Our doc on the "cardiac event" warning | ADHD Information

Most Psychiatrsit wil do an EKG as part of the dagnostic process, before meds. DD's does one every 2 years.Hi all -- just thought our experience might help others. You've probably all seen the news that the FDA is going to put new warnings on all ADHD meds about "adverse cardiac events" (even though the numbers are so small it looks like chance to me, but never mind.)

Even though I think the FDA action is politically/legally motivated, and the studies don't seem to show an extra risk for our son, I asked the doctor about it anyway.

The upshot was that we did an examination where the doctor listened to DS's heart murmur that was diagnosed at birth as functional = no problem. He isn't sure he can still hear it at all, and doesn't think it's an issue.

Did resting, active heart rate, blood pressure, lots of questions during the physical exam.

Sent DS for an EKG "for reassurance" and that came out totally normal.

This doctor said in 30 years he has never seen a heart problem from Ritalin with any child in his care, but that to be especially careful, we should do the tests. His take on the ruling is that it is motivated by fear of lawsuits.

In the end, I felt better just knowing there isn't any underlying heart problem that could be aggravated by the methylphenidate.