Prescriptions for drugs to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have soared during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new study.
Prescriptions for stimulant and non-stimulant medications for ADHD have skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new study published today. JAMA Psychiatry on wednesday. Sudden demand for ADHD drugs added to the shortage.
In the first two years of the coronavirus pandemic, there were about 5.9 million new prescriptions for stimulants, an increase of 14% and about 700,000 more than in the two years before the pandemic began. Use of non-stimulant ADHD medications has surged 32% during the pandemic.
Stimulant prescriptions for American adults ages 20 to 39 have jumped 30% since before the pandemic. Meanwhile, non-stimulant ADHD prescriptions for the same age group jumped 81%.
Use of stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications increased by 25% in women.
Meanwhile, prescriptions for other behavioral health problems, such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and buprenorphine, did not change significantly over the same period.
Dr. Anne Childress said: time magazine ADHD medication use is increasing because more people are working from home and are likely becoming more easily distracted.
The Las Vegas-based psychiatrist added, “People are talking more openly about mental health issues now.”
The use of ADHD medications has also increased as telemedicine has made medication easier to obtain.
In October, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services announced Extended telehealth flexibility through December 31, 2024.
Another possible factor is that people have become more aware of adult ADHD on social media.
a study A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released in March also found that ADHD drug use increased during the coronavirus pandemic. According to the CDC, stimulant prescriptions increased from 3.6% in 2016 to 4.1% in 2021. However, from 2020 to 2021, stimulant prescriptions increased by more than 10% among women ages 15 to 44 and men ages 25 to 44.
Previously”demand-driven“Lack of Adderall, a common stimulant used to treat ADHD.
In October 2022, the Food and Drug Administration announced Shortage of “immediate-release formulation of mixed amphetamine salts, commonly referred to by the trade names Adderall or Adderall IR.”
An FDA spokesperson said: ABC News Although some manufacturers of ADHD drugs continue to have “supply issues,” there are currently nine manufacturers available, the company announced Thursday. The spokesperson added: “Additional supplies will be coming back in the coming months.”
The DEA and FDA previously called on manufacturers to increase production to meet rising demand.
Adderall is a controlled substance, so its production is restricted by the DEA.
of mayo clinic Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is defined as “a chronic disease that affects millions of children and often persists into adulthood,” and describes it as “a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often persists into adulthood.” It is defined as “including a combination of problems”.
of CDC It is estimated that approximately 6 million children between the ages of 3 and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, approximately 10%.
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