Patterns and profiles of Methylphenidate use in both children and adults

Summary

Aim

The aim was to characterize patterns of Methylphenidate (MPH) use in France in both children and adults over a three year period.

Methods

Using the French General Health Insurance database limited to two areas covering approximately 4 million individuals, we made up a cohort of incident MPH users between July 2010 and June 2013. Splitting them into distinct age groups ( [18-24]; [25;49]; >=50 years olds for adults and less than 6 years old, [6-11] and [12;17] for children), we described these populations at MPH initiation and during follow-up according to duration of treatment, quantities dispensed, and co-prescription with Central Nervous System (CNS) drugs.

Results

We included a cohort of 3 534 incident users involving 30 238 dispensations of MPH leading to an annual rate of 29 incident users/ 100 000 in 2013. Children (66% of new users) were characterized by long-term use of MPH with few co-medications. The group of 25-49-year-old patients where more frequently dispensed MPH than other groups, had the highest mean dosage and were more often co-prescribed other CNS drugs. The >=50 years-old group was more often co-prescribed antidepressants and antiparkinsonians.

Conclusions

Our pharmacoepidemiological study involving incident MPH users and a large number of characteristics shows different patterns of MPH use among children and adults. The results among 25-49 years suggest that MPH may be used for medical conditions other than Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or narcolepsy in adults and that it might be subject to misuse and/or abuse.

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