The FDA recommends that physicians follow the current prescribing information (labeling) for these products, which recommends that children, adolescents, or adults who are being considered for treatment with ADHD drug products work with their health care professional to develop a treatment plan that includes a careful health history for cardiovascular disease in the child and his or her family. This includes performing a physical exam with special focus on the cardiovascular system and consideration of further tests such as a screening electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, if the history or examination suggests underlying risk for or the presence of heart disease.
Last year, the American Heart Association recommended considering routine ECGs before starting children with ADHD on stimulants and other psychotropic therapies and called for future studies to assess the risk of sudden death.
