Adderall

Our stepdaughter has Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. She has also been "diagnosed" with AD/HD and has been prescribed Adderall (adderrall).

Our concern:

What possible effect(s) would Adderall (adderrall) (or any other psychostimulant medication) have on precipitating the effects of W-P-W Syndrome?

[HFHS MD-JM]

Greg,

    WPW is a cardiac condition characterized by an accesory coduction pathway that leads to increased heart rate.  Treatment of this condition is generally by ablation of this extra pathway.
     Adderall (adderrall) and the other psychostimulants can cause tachycardia(rapid heart rate).  There is no absolute contraindication of using Adderall (adderrall) in this disorder but, it should be used with caution and your stepdaughters cardiologist should be aware she is taking it.  Psychostimulants are the gold standard of treating ADHD but consideration for a non-cardiotoxic medication like Wellbutrin or Effexor could be discussed with your child's psychiatrist.

Sincerely,

HFHS MD-JM

Keywords:  Psychostimulants