Use of ADHD drugs surged during pandemic, fueling shortages: Study

Prescriptions for medications to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study.

Prescriptions for stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications spiked during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new study published in JAMA Psychiatry on Wednesday. The sudden demand for ADHD drugs helped fuel a shortage.

There were approximately 5.9 million new prescriptions for stimulants in the first two years of the coronavirus pandemic — roughly 700,000 more than in the two years before the pandemic started, or a 14% increase. Non-stimulant ADHD drug-use soared by 32% during the pandemic.

Stimulant prescriptions for American adults ages 20 to 39 flared up 30% compared to before the pandemic. Meanwhile, non-stimulant ADHD prescriptions for the same age group skyrocketed by 81%.

The use of stimulants and non-stimulant ADHD drugs rose by 25% in women.

Meanwhile, prescriptions for other behavioral health issues — including antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and buprenorphine — did not change significantly in that same time period.

Dr. Ann Childress told Time magazine that the increase in ADHD medication usage is likely due to more people working from home and getting easily distracted.

The Las Vegas-based psychiatrist added, “People are more open to talking about mental health issues now."

Telemedicine also increased ADHD medication use because it made it easier to get the medications.

In October, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services announced it had extended telemedicine flexibilities through Dec. 31, 2024.

Another possible factor was people becoming more aware of adult ADHD on social media.

A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released in March also found that ADHD drug use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC said stimulant prescriptions rose from 3.6% in 2016 to 4.1% in 2021. However, stimulant prescriptions rose more than 10% for females aged 15-44 years and males aged 25-44 years during 2020-2021.

There was previously a "demand-driven" shortage of Adderall — a common stimulant used to treat ADHD.

In October 2022, the Food and Drug Administration announced a shortage of the "immediate-release formulation of amphetamine mixed salts, commonly referred to by the brand name Adderall or Adderall IR."

An FDA spokesperson told ABC News on Thursday that some manufacturers of ADHD medications are still having "supply issues," but there are currently nine manufacturers with availability. The spokesperson added that "there will be additional supply returning in the coming months."

The DEA and FDA previously called on manufacturers to increase production to meet the elevated demand.

Adderall production is limited by the DEA because it is a controlled substance.

The Mayo Clinic defines attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a "chronic condition that affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood" that "includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior."

The CDC estimates that there are approximately 6 million children between the ages of 3 and 17 — about 10% — who have been diagnosed with ADHD.

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