Pattern of medication dispensations for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Manitoba children, adolescents...

To examine changes in the prevalence and incidence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication dispensations in individuals 24 years and younger in Manitoba, Canada.

This was a retrospective repeated cross-sectional study of community-based Manitoba children, adolescents and young adults 24 years and younger using administrative prescription dispensing data from the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy.

Quarterly prevalence and incidence of prescription medications dispensed for ADHD were reported by calendar year from 2015 to 2023. Findings were stratified by age, sex and drug.

The study population changed from 445 058 (2015) to 467 591 (2023). A greater than 80% increase in the prevalence (183.64-337.99 per 10 000; p<0.001) and incidence (12.76-23.95 per 10 000; p<0.001) of stimulants was observed during this period. An approximate threefold increase in the prevalence (7.32 per 10 000 to 26.52 per 10 000; p<0.001) and incidence (1.17-3.17 per 10 000; p<0.001) of non-stimulants was also observed. The increase in stimulant dispensations was most pronounced among those 19-24 years (incidence 6.81-34.65 per 10 000, p<0.001) and females (incidence 8.56 per 10 000 to 27.39 per 10 000, p<0.001). The prevalence increased markedly for lixdexamphetamine (12.65-105.39 per 10 000, p<0.001) and guanfacine (1.91-18.93 per 10 000).

Stimulant and non-stimulant dispensations for ADHD increased from 2015 to 2023, consistent with international findings. The increase was observed to be the greatest in the population 19 to 24 years of age and females. While there was a significant increase in most ADHD medications, there was a pronounced increase in lisdexamphetamine and guanfacine, specifically.