Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda and Erick Kikmeko at 1031 EAT on Thursday 2026

New research reveals a significant surge in ADHD drug use, particularly among women over the age of 25, with the UK reporting the highest increase in medication use for ADHD across Europe.

The use of medication for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has surged in the UK, with a notable rise in prescriptions for adults, particularly women.

New research shows that the percentage of individuals using ADHD drugs has more than tripled over the past ten years, jumping from 0.12% in 2010 to 0.39% in 2023.

The rise in ADHD medication use was most pronounced among those over 25, with prescriptions increasing from just 0.01% in 2010 to approximately 0.2% in 2023.

Researchers from the University of Oxford noted that this represents a more than 20-fold increase among women and a 15-fold rise among men in this age group.

The study, which analysed ADHD prescription rates in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK, used data from nearly 200,000 individuals, including over 31,000 from the UK.

In an article published in The Lancet journal, the authors stated: “We observed a dramatic rise in ADHD medication use among adults, particularly among females.

“Among adults aged 18 and over, there was a two to 15-fold increase in the prevalence of ADHD medication use during the study period, with the most significant increases seen in females, especially in the UK.”

The researchers attributed the surge in both the prevalence and incidence of ADHD medication use to heightened awareness of adult ADHD, particularly among women.

The authors also found that in both the UK and Spain, more than 70% of individuals over 25 had previously used antidepressants.

The researchers highlighted that the UK recorded the largest relative increase in ADHD medication use among the countries studied, with notable growth also observed in children aged three to 11 and teenagers.

Methylphenidate—commonly sold under brand names such as Ritalin, Concerta, Delmosart, Equasym, and Medikinet—was the most widely prescribed ADHD medication across all five countries examined.

– Sky News

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