Safety gaps in ADHD care highlighted after patient dies taking Elvanse

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By Julie Penfold

A coroner has issued an urgent warning after a 28-year-old man died from sudden cardiac arrest whilst taking attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication Elvanse, highlighting concerning gaps in patient monitoring and safety protocols.

Jacob Wooderson collapsed and died at his home in August 2024, just weeks after his dosage of the amphetamine-based drug was increased, an inquest heard.

Assistant coroner Sarah Bourke concluded that the patient died from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, with his ADHD medication cited as a contributing factor.

While Elvanse (lisdexamfetamine) can have fatal cardiac side effects, she said the evidence could not establish whether his death was directly caused by the drug or an underlying genetic condition.

It was found that Wooderson, who was diagnosed with ADHD by a private consultant psychiatrist in February 2024, was not given clear written advice about Elvanse's potentially fatal side effects, which was described as "a missed opportunity" that could have led to a different outcome.