Australia won't investigate ADHD drugs

Australia has no plans to investigate drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), despite US health authorities examining claims they may cause strokes or heart attacks.

The US government authorised the study into the safety of ADHD medications following reports of sudden deaths and hypertension in both children and adults taking the drugs.

But a spokeswoman for the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said Australian authorities would not conduct their own inquiry.

Nor have they considered suspending the sale of the drugs, she said.

"We in Australia at this stage don't have any plans to look specifically at these drugs," the spokeswoman said.

"(But) we will continue to monitor the drugs on a regular basis and we will be looking of course at any research that will be coming out of America."

Prescription rates in Australia for ADHD medication, including the only PBS-listed drug dexamphetamine sulfate, have soared in recent years.

Between 1984 and 2000, consumption of dexamphetamine rose by a national average of 31 per cent a year - a rate of increase unrivalled by any nation other than the United States.

Australian Medical Association (AMA) vice-president Choong-Siew Yong said the TGA relied on doctors to report any negative experiences patients had with the drugs.

"The system in Australia requires doctors to report adverse side effects to the TGA and that is an ongoing process so it also depends on the vigilance of the doctors," Dr Yong said.

"We have been using these drugs for some time now, some 30-odd years, and on the whole they are quite safe."

But Dr Yong said it was important to keep a close eye on overseas research.

While the TGA awaits the outcome of the US Food and Drug Administration investigation, its Canadian counterpart has already yanked an ADHD drug from the market.

Adderall XR was taken off the shelves for six months last year until a panel concluded there was not enough evidence of increased harm compared to other available therapies.

The US committee will meet on February 9 and 10.