ADHD, asthma Rxs up

Conversely, they found prevalence of ADHD medication usage increased significantly from 3% during 1999-2002 to 4% during 2011-2014, including significant increases for both amphetamines and centrally acting adrenergic agents.

Asthma medication also increased, from 4% to 6%, including significant increases in inhaled corticosteroids and montelukast. Likewise, a significant increase in proton pump inhibitors was reported from 0.2% to 0.7%, while contraceptive use in girls increased significantly in prevalence, from 1% to 2%.

Taken together, these findings suggest an overall decrease in medication prescribing among children and adolescents, despite significantly increased prevalence of prescribing for certain drug classes, the investigators said.

They noted that the study had limitations. For example, NHANES does not include data on most over-the-counter medications, and for the drugs it does include, there are no data on dosages, frequency of use, or specific formulations, they said.

Dr. Hales and his coauthors had no conflicts of interest.

SOURCE: Hales CM et al. JAMA. 2018;319(19):2009-20.