Is stimulant medication suitable for everyone?
In certain cases stimulant treatment will not be suitable. Contraindications to the use of stimulants include glaucoma, symptomatic cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, and hypertension. People with certain psychiatric conditions, including psychosis and schizophrenia, should not take stimulants. Stimulants may cause a small increase in pulse and blood pressure. In children with normal hearts this is unlikely to cause any problems. The treating doctor will determine whether stimulants are suitable for a person following a thorough assessment, including a review of the person’s medical history. As part of this assessment the doctor will determine whether a person needs a heart evaluation before commencing stimulant medication.
