Patterns of psychostimulant prescribing to children with ADHD in Western Australia: variations in age, gender, medication type and dose prescribed

Abstract

The prevalence of stimulant medication use for the treatment of ADHD in WA children is 2.4%, with males accounting for the majority of treated patients. Most children were treated with dexamphetamine. Prescribing of methylphenidate, sustained-release stimulants or combined medication therapy was less common. Age-related trends in prescribed daily dose differed for dexamphetamine and methylphenidate.