Table 2 Treatment characteristics among children and adolescents with ADHD – First treatment regimen observed
Treatment characteristics | First treatment regimen observeda | |
|---|---|---|
Children | Adolescents | |
N = 49,756 | N = 29,093 | |
Type of pharmacological treatmentb, N (%) | ||
Stimulants | 45,740 (91.9) | 26,886 (92.4) |
Stimulants – long-acting | 40,867 (82.1) | 24,118 (82.9) |
Methylphenidate-based ‒ long-acting | 24,894 (50.0) | 10,991 (37.8) |
Methylphenidate | 18,920 (38.0) | 9,097 (31.3) |
Dexmethylphenidate | 6,293 (12.6) | 1,959 (6.7) |
Amphetamine-based ‒ long-acting | 17,579 (35.3) | 13,777 (47.4) |
Mixed amphetamine salts (i.e., amphetamine + dextroamphetamine) | 8,184 (16.4) | 5,864 (20.2) |
Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate | 9,347 (18.8) | 8,022 (27.6) |
Dextroamphetamine | 104 (0.2) | 66 (0.2) |
Amphetamine | 221 (0.4) | 36 (0.1) |
Stimulants—short-acting | 7,214 (14.5) | 4,657 (16.0) |
Methylphenidate-based ‒ short-acting | 4,851 (9.7) | 1,934 (6.6) |
Methylphenidate | 3,824 (7.7) | 1,471 (5.1) |
Dexmethylphenidate | 1,043 (2.1) | 464 (1.6) |
Amphetamine-based ‒ short-acting | 2,474 (5.0) | 2,759 (9.5) |
Mixed amphetamine salts (i.e., amphetamine + dextroamphetamine) | 2,292 (4.6) | 2,622 (9.0) |
Dextroamphetamine | 112 (0.2) | 76 (0.3) |
Amphetamine sulfate | 76 (0.2) | 65 (0.2) |
Non-stimulants | 4,808 (9.7) | 2,563 (8.8) |
Guanfacine | 2,492 (5.0) | 909 (3.1) |
Atomoxetine | 2,133 (4.3) | 1,595 (5.5) |
Clonidine | 236 (0.5) | 83 (0.3) |
Treatment combination of ≥ 2 therapeutic agents, N (%) | 5,230 (10.5) | 3,063 (10.5) |
Psychotherapy, N (%) | 14,052 (28.2) | 10,425 (35.8) |
Treatment regimen duration (months)c, mean ± SD [median] | 7.16 ± 4.80 [7.57] | 6.45 ± 4.69 [5.60] |