Study: Children's ADHD Medication Linked To Sleep Problems

By Claire Caulfield
Published: Wednesday, December 23, 2015 - 6:25pm

A new study from the American Academy of Pediatrics found stimulants in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication lead to sleep problems for children.

Approcimately 3.5 million children in America are prescribed ADHD medication. In 2011 nearly 10 percent of children in Arizona were taking medication for ADHD. According to the study, ADHD medication makes it difficult for children to fall and stay asleep.

“These results are concerning because children with ADHD already have poor sleep, so any further compromise to sleep could make their ADHD symptoms worse,” said Katherine Kidwell, the lead author on the study.

Sticking to a nighttime routine can help children prepare for good sleep, Kidwell said, and in that sense the ADHD medication could help children focus and listen to their parents during bedtime.