High-Dose Amphetamines linked to Increased Psychosis and Mania Risk, reports research

This dose-dependent relationship highlighted the potential dangers of high-dose amphetamine prescriptions for young adults who may be more vulnerable to psychiatric side effects. This research emphasized that while amphetamines are effective for treating conditions like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), clinicians should be cautious when prescribing high doses by ensuring regular screening for symptoms of psychosis or mania.

This study also evaluated the use of methylphenidate, commonly prescribed for ADHD, such as Ritalin and Concerta. Unlike amphetamines, past-month methylphenidate use was not linked to an increased risk of psychosis or mania. The adjusted odds ratio for methylphenidate was 0.91, indicating no significant association.

The study observed potential limitations in their findings, including the use of hospitalized control subjects, which may introduce selection bias, as it excludes individuals with less severe psychiatric symptoms. Overall, the findings illuminate the importance of monitoring for adverse psychiatric outcomes in patients receiving high-dose amphetamines.

Source:

Moran, L. V., Skinner, J. P., Shinn, A. K., Nielsen, K., Rao, V., Taylor, S. T., Cohen, T. R., Erkol, C., Merchant, J., Mujica, C. A., Perlis, R. H., & Ongur, D. (2024). Risk of Incident Psychosis and Mania With Prescription Amphetamines. In American Journal of Psychiatry. American Psychiatric Association Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20230329