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Prescriptions for drugs to
treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression in
children and teens grew steadily during the late 1990s.
Researchers found that prescriptions
for stimulants used to treat ADHD, such as Ritalin and Adderall, increased
26% between 1995 and 1999 among children and teens enrolled
in six health plans. All of the plans were affiliated with UnitedHealth
Group in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Prescriptions for a drug class
known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are used
to treat depression and anxiety, rose by
62% over the same period. SSRIs include brand names like Prozac
and Zoloft.
The researchers found that
the prevalence of stimulant drugs, SSRIs and other types of antidepressants
grew steadily during the study period. Children
aged 10 to 14 were the most frequent users of stimulants, while SSRIs
were most commonly prescribed for 15- to 19-year-olds.
Overall, the proportion of
stimulant users in the health plans grew from about 24 per 1,000 kids
to 30 per 1,000, the report indicates. SSRI use increased from about 8
per 1,000 to nearly 13 out of 1,000 kids.
According to the researchers,
their findings are in line with past studies of US children and teens.
Keeping track of changes in the prescription of ADHD and depression drugs
in children is vital, as there is concern about both the overuse
and inadequate use of these medications.
Overuse creates concern, in
part, because the long-range effects
of the drugs on the developing brain are unknown, the researchers
note. On the other hand, some worry that not treating children with ADHD
or depression could result in social and academic problems in the long
run.
Ambulatory
Pediatrics March/April 2002;2
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