“clinicians in the US have increasingly prescribed amphetamine-type stimulants, most commonly to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But a cross-sectional study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that among those taking prescription stimulants, about 25% reported using them outside of their intended purpose and 9% had prescription stimulant use disorder (PSUD), which causes clinically significant impairment or distress.
Looking at data from adults aged 18 to 64 years, researchers found that misuse was about 3 times higher for prescription amphetamines than for methylphenidate, which is generally considered less potent. [..] Those taking amphetamines were also more likely to develop PSUD.
Although women aged 35 to 64 years experienced the largest increase in dispensed prescription stimulants, the prevalence of misuse was lowest among this demographic at about 14%. In comparison, nearly 37% of women aged 18 to 35 years reported misuse.
The researchers stated that although stimulants are essential to managing conditions such as ADHD, the high prevalence of misuse and PSUD suggests that clinical practice guidelines and training programs are needed to manage harm.”
Full article, S Anderer, Journal of the American Medical Association, 2025.4.18