A new study finds that prescription treatments for ADHD have skyrocketed among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to shortages of popular treatments like Adderall.
new research Published in JAMA Psychiatry On Wednesday, it was found that prescriptions for stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications have skyrocketed during the pandemic, especially among young people and women. Announced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). in October 2022 There is a shortage of Adderall, a drug used to treat ADHD.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a condition commonly diagnosed in young children with symptoms of “difficulty maintaining attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior.” mayo clinic. ADHD can persist into adulthood, and adults with the condition may go undiagnosed. The CDC pointed out.
The study noted that prescriptions for stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications during the pandemic were much higher than before the pandemic, likely due to the number of adults working from home. Overall, prescriptions for stimulants between the ages of 20 and 39 increased by 30%, and prescriptions for non-stimulant ADHD among that age group increased by 81%.
A CDC study last year found similar results for prescription prescriptions among adolescents and adult women, as well as adult men with employer-sponsored insurance, which has increased during the pandemic.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) also began allowing health care providers to prescribe ADHD medications via telemedicine, making treatment more accessible to more people. This telemedicine flexibility will last until the end of 2024.
Adderall shortages could also cause long-term problems for students who rely on ADHD treatment, experts say. They warned that children's grades and academic performance may have declined due to the reduced supply of drugs.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
