Central stimulants in the Treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents : A naturalistic study of the prescription in Sweden 1977-2007

• Central   stimulants in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder   (ADHD) in children and adolescents. A naturalistic study of the   prescription in Sweden, 1977-2007. Nord J Psychiatry 2009; 63: 508-516.   Background: An increased prescription of central stimulants (CS) for   treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in   children and adolescents has been reported in Sweden. Aims: To   follow-up the treatment with CS as concerns total as well as regional   differences in prescription rate. Efficacy and side-effects reported   and gender differences in prescription over time also have been   summarized. Methods: Data from the Swedish Medical Products Agency   (MPA) of individual licences, annual reports about patients on   individual or clinic licences from the MPA and sales statistics from   the National Pharmacy (Apoteket AB) have been used. Results: The number   of new licences and prescriptions increased dramatically from 1992 to   2007 and a change of preparations was seen. Great differences   (fivefold) between the 21 counties of Sweden were noticed. In the   follow-up reports to the MPA, a good/moderate treatment effect was   reported in 92% and adverse effects were reported in 4% leading to   discontinuation of medication in 46% of them. Abuse/misuse of the   preparation was suspected in 0.2% of the reports. A tendency of a   reduction of the proportion of boys to girls treated through individual   licences has been seen. Conclusions: The study, although observational,   supports good efficacy, limited adverse effects and a low degree of   misuse in clinical use of CS for children and adolescents with ADHD.

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