Psychotic side effects of psychostimulants: a 5-year review.
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).


METHODS
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.
Cherland
E
E
Department of Psychiatry, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. cherland@duke.usask.ca
Fitzpatrick
R
R
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010389:Pemoline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate; D010389:Pemoline