ADHD Medication Surge: Prescriptions for Adult Women Skyrocket 20-Fold
A new Oxford-led study reveals a 'substantial increase' in adult ADHD medication use across the UK and Europe, with a more than threefold rise in the UK between 2010 and 2023, particularly among women. The findings highlight growing awareness, pandemic influence, and concerns about treatment gaps and potential medication shortages, prompting a government review into ADHD services.
The United Kingdom has recorded a significant rise in the number of adults using prescription medications for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), according to a new Oxford-led study. The research analysed electronic health records of more than 198,000 people across Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK between 2010 and 2023. It found that ADHD medication use more than tripled in the UK and more than doubled in the Netherlands, reflecting a consistent upward trend across Europe.
The most striking increases were observed among adults, particularly women. In the UK, ADHD medication use among adults aged 25 and over rose more than twenty-fold in women and fifteen-fold in men. Researchers linked this surge to growing awareness of adult ADHD, increased discussion on social media, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which reportedly led to a near-doubling of prescriptions. The findings also reflect a broader recognition of ADHD as a lifelong condition rather than one limited to childhood.
Methylphenidate, sold under brand names such as Ritalin and Concerta, remained the most commonly prescribed medication, while newer stimulants like lisdexamfetamine have seen steady uptake. The study also highlighted high levels of co-existing conditions, with many patients also prescribed antidepressants and psycholeptics. In the UK and Spain, more than 70 percent of adults using ADHD medication had also been prescribed antidepressants, with anxiety, depression, asthma, and autism frequently observed alongside ADHD.
Despite the sharp rise in prescriptions, researchers cautioned that medication use still falls well below estimated ADHD prevalence, which affects around 3 percent of adults globally. Treatment continuation rates were also found to be relatively low. Amid growing demand, UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced an independent review into ADHD and autism diagnoses, aiming to address gaps in care while guarding against over-diagnosis. NHS Digital estimates that around 2.5 million people in England may have ADHD, underscoring the need for careful planning to meet demand, avoid medication shortages, and ensure appropriate, evidence-based care.