"Improves Concentration?"... ADHD Medication Prescriptions for Adolescents Up 22% in One Year

Seo Mihwa's Office: Over Half of Reported Side Effects Occurred in Patients Under 19
"Need to Reduce Misuse of Narcotics and Ensure a Safe Prescription System"

Prescriptions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication among adolescents increased by 22% in just one year. As these drugs, often referred to as "study-enhancing pills," gain attention, concerns are rising about their misuse and the growing number of reported side effects.

According to data submitted by Assemblywoman Seo Mihwa of the Democratic Party, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, obtained from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on September 12,

the total number of ADHD medication prescriptions for patients aged 19 and under reached 3,359,226 between 2022 and 2024.

Of these, 1,367,730 prescriptions were issued last year alone, marking a 21.9% increase compared to the previous year. This figure only includes prescriptions covered by insurance for treatment purposes, so the actual increase may be even higher if non-insurance prescriptions are included.

Among adolescents prescribed ADHD medication, males accounted for 78.6%, far outnumbering females at 26.8%. Regionally, prescriptions were concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area, with Seoul accounting for 25.4% and Gyeonggi Province for 25.2%.

ADHD medication is originally intended to alleviate symptoms in patients with ADHD, but its perceived effects on concentration and academic achievement have attracted significant interest among parents and students. This has led to a sharp increase in demand not only among ordinary adolescents but also adults, raising concerns about misuse. The methylphenidate component of ADHD medication is classified as a psychotropic drug, which is a type of narcotic.

During the same period, a total of 278 cases of side effects related to ADHD medication were reported. Of the 83 cases where age information was available, 56.6% (47 cases) involved patients under the age of 19. The main side effects included decreased appetite (49 cases), insomnia (30 cases), nausea and vomiting (21 cases), palpitations (12 cases), irritability (7 cases), tics (7 cases), headaches (5 cases), and dizziness (5 cases).

Assemblywoman Seo Mihwa stated, "It is positive that awareness of ADHD treatment is improving, but as prescriptions increase, it is crucial to create an environment where patients who need treatment can receive it safely and reliably." She added, "In particular, we must strengthen the drug management system to reduce the misuse of narcotic medications and ensure that the public can receive prescriptions safely."