Episode Details
Back to Episodes83. ADHD and Epilepsy: Can You Safely Prescribe Stimulants?
Description
Join us for the latest Mystery Case: A teen with ADHD + Epilepsy
Would you prescribe a stimulant?
How do you treat ADHD in people who have epilepsy?
In this episode, we unpack:
• The surprising relationship between ADHD and epilepsy
• Why ADHD is easy to miss in kids with epilepsy
• Where the concern about stimulants and seizures came from
• What newer research tells us about stimulant treatment in kids with epilepsy
• How I would approach treatment—and monitoring—in people with epilepsy
00:00 Welcome and Mystery Case
00:30 ADHD and Epilepsy Link
01:30 Bidirectional Risk Explained
02:58 Seizure History Details
04:00 Treatment Options Debate
06:03 Stimulants and Seizure Evidence
09:14 Best Answer and Monitoring Plan
10:28 Wrap Up and Thanks
Studies referenced in the episode:
Auvin S et al. Systematic review of the screening, diagnosis, and management of ADHD in children with epilepsy. Consensus paper of the Task Force on Comorbidities of the ILAE Pediatric Commission. Epilepsia. 2018
Brikell I et al. Medication treatment for ADHD and the risk of acute seizures in individuals with epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2019
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Stimulant and non-stimulant drug-therapy for people with ADHD and Epilepsy 2022.
Kwon CS et al. Psychiatric comorbidities in persons with epilepsy compared with persons without epilepsy. JAMA Neurology. 2025
Liu X et al. Stimulant do not increase the risk of seizure-related hospitalization in children with epilepsy. J Child Adol Psychopharm. 2018.
Wang S et al. Comorbidity of epilepsy and ADHD: a Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurology. 2023
Wiggs KK, Chang Z, Quinn PD, Hur K, Gibbons R, Dunn D, Brikell I, Larsson H, D'Onofrio BM. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication and seizures. Neurology. 2018
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