A recently released study by Medco Health Solutions, Inc. found that in America, the use of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medications has skyrocketed over the past several years. The FDA is divided as to how to address concerns over ADHD medications: in February, an FDA advisory committee decided that ADHD medications' labeling should include "black box" warnings for "increased risk of sudden death and serious cardiovascular problems." But several days ago, the FDA's Pediatric Advisory Committee recommended that the risks to children in taking ADHD medications do not merit a "black box." In this installment of "By the Numbers," the Daily explores Americans' relationship with ADHD drugs.
1.7 million Americans ages 20 to 64 who used ADHD medications in 20053.3 million Americans ages 19 and younger who used ADHD medications in 2005
139% Amount by which the number of young adults ages 20-44 who use ADHD medications rose over the last five years82% Amount by which that increase exceeded the increase in ADHD medication use among young people ages 19 and below65% Amount by which the number of children younger than 10 who use ADHD medications rose between 2000 and 20056% Amount of those children who were also using antipsychotic medications2.5 million Patients across America whose prescription information was included in the study
2004 Year in which a previous Medco study found that between 2000 and 2004, adults' increase in ADHD medication use was larger than childrens' increase 2x Amount by which the number of boys in the pediatric age group who take ADHD medication exceeds the number of girls in that age group who do
164% Amount by which ADHD medication use increased among women ages 20-44 between 2000 and 200545% Amount by which that increase exceeded the increase in ADHD medication use among men in that age group over the same period of time90% Amount by which the number of girls ages 10-19 who use ADHD medication rose between 2000 and 2005
475% Amount by which the cost of ADHD medications for 20-to-44-year-olds rose between 2000 and 200511% Amount by which the price rise slowed down between 2004 and 2005
The information cited above comes from Medco Health Solutions, Inc., RSS News, USA Today and the Pharmaceutical Business Review.
