Prescriptions for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs increased dramatically over the last two years, the CDC said in a new report Thursday.
The high demand for Adderall was one reason the drug has been in short supply, the CDC said.
The FDA said Adderall was in short supply in an October 2022 alert. It is used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.
Prescription fills rose by 11% among adults ages 22-44 in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC said.
In the past, ADHD drugs have mainly been used to treat children. The CDC said they have been most commonly prescribed for boys 5 to 19.
In 2021, the most significant annual increases in ADHD prescriptions were among women in their 20s and 30s.
