Among children and adolescents who receive ADHD medicine, every third person is not helped by the medicine.
It is also not possible to say who can benefit from drugs for ADHD or not. This shows a new study from Umeå University.
“Based on the criteria we know today, it is not possible to say who ADHD medicine works for,” says Maria Lilja, PhD student at the Department of Clinical Sciences at Umeå University.
In the study, the researchers studied 638 children and young people aged 6 to 17 who are enrolled in BUP.
They come from three regions in the country, Västerbotten, Stockholm and Gotland.
The researchers already know that central stimulant amphetamine -like preparations do not work on everyone, it is also confirmed in this study.
Many variables to take into account
The researchers have also come to the conclusion that neither gender, age, weight, length, blood pressure, pulse nor IQ affects how well the medicine works or not. Nor does the type of ADHD have, birth time of the year, geographical region or co -morbidity affects. Therefore, the council from the researchers is that medicine should not be put in directly.
-You should not put ADHD medicine in the first place. Without you start by looking at sleep, diet and how the school works. Smaller groups and perhaps lower pace may be needed and that the child is allowed to sit with hearing covers. There are many adjustments you can make before you put in medicine, says Maria Lilja, pediatrician and doctoral student at the Department of Clinical Sciences at Umeå University.
ADHD diagnoses have increased
The proportion of people who are diagnosed with ADHD has increased the late 15 years. The prescription of medicines has also increased, according to the National Board of Health and Welfare.
Maria Lilja says the same thing to parents as to the health care. It can be good not to choose medicine in the first place. But of course they can also choose to medicate early.
-Although there are side effects, adhd drugs are not dangerous, she says, adding:
– The result of this study is important if you consider that more and more people are getting drugs for ADHD, but more research is needed.