ADHD Medication Errors Increased Almost 300 Percent From 2000 to 2021

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common pediatric neurodevelopmental diagnoses with an estimated prevalence of almost 10% in 2019. Given the fact that the first line of treatment for ADHD is medication, and that >3 million American children are currently taking medication for ADHD, it can be expected that ADHD medication errors are common. Objective: To characterize ADHD medication errors during a 21-year period. Design/Methods: The study involved collection of information from the National Poison Data System, which was retrospectively analyzed. The data included 124,383 unintentional ADHD medication errors that occurred outside of the hospital setting in patients aged <20 years. An error was defined as giving the wrong medication dose or substance, administering the medication via the incorrect route, or giving the medication to the wrong person. Results: During the course of the 21-year study period, there was an annual frequency more...