New Data Shows Adults Continue to Outpace Children in Growth of ADHD Medication Use.

Number of Younger Adults on ADHD Medications Increases 139 percent from 2000 to 2005; Growth in Use Higher for Women than Men

Number of Children on ADHD Medications Continues to Grow, but at a Much Slower Rate

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., March 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews cardiovascular and psychiatric side-effects of medications for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), new research released today finds that in 2005, the greatest growth in use of these drugs continued to be among younger adults, while children's overall usage grew at a much slower rate.

According to the analysis by Medco Health Solutions, Inc. , the number of younger adults aged 20 to 44 using ADHD medications increased more than 139 percent from 2000 to 2005, outpacing increases in children 19 and younger by 82 percent. This new data confirms a trend first identified by an earlier Medco analysis released last year that found increases in ADHD medication use among adults was greater than it was for children in a four- year period ending in 2004.

"This new research indicates that we're…