Trends in the Prescribing of Psychotropic Medications to Preschoolers
Article Abstract:
More preschool-aged children received psychotropic drugs in 1995 than in 1991. Psychotropic drugs are used to treat behavioral and emotional disorders and include drugs such as Ritalin and other stimulants and antidepressants. In a survey of prescription records from two state Medicaid programs and an HMO, the number of psychotropic drugs prescribed for preschool children increased between 1991 and 1995. The number of Ritalin prescriptions for preschool children tripled in that time period. Many of the drugs have never been approved for use in children.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2000
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Prescribing trends in psychotropic medications: primary care, psychiatry, and other medical specialties
Article Abstract:
There has been a marked shift in the prescribing of psychiatric drugs since 1984. Researchers compared data from the 1985 and 1994 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, which compiles statistics on visits to physicians. In 1994, 45.6 million visits included the prescription of a psychiatric drug, up from 32.7 million in 1985. The most commonly prescribed drugs shifted from antianxiety drugs and sleeping pills in 1985 to antidepressants in 1994. Visits for depression doubled between 1985 and 1994. Visits for stimulants increased about five-fold in that time. Psychiatrists were mostly responsible for increased prescribing of antidepressants.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1998
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Psychotherapeutic Medication Patterns for Youths With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Article Abstract:
More children are being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and more are being treated with stimulants. Analysis of data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey shows that the percentage of doctor visits involving a diagnosis of ADHD among 5- to 14-year-olds increased from 2% in 1989 to 3.6% in 1996. Seventy-seven percent of children with ADHD were given stimulants such as Ritalin in 1996, up from 63% in 1989.
Publication Name: Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1072-4710
Year: 1999
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