Prescription Stimulant Misuse Raising Concern
Adults with a diagnosis of ADHD are often prescribed stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. While these patients often experience significant life improvements, with an increase in prescribing comes an increased potential for misuse/abuse. Prescribers and other care providers need to be aware of this concern and provide appropriate screening and treatment for patients.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry raises concern about increasing prescription stimulant use disorder (PSUD).
Medscape provides a review of the study in which the study authors conclude that “regardless of prescription stimulant misuse status, screening for and treating PSUD are needed for US adults aged 18 to 64 years using prescription stimulants, especially those receiving prescription amphetamines.”
For more information about medication safety in the office practice, review our practice tip Medication Safety in the Office Practice.
This article falls under Clinical/Patient Safety in the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) risk domains.
Risks associated with the delivery of care to patients, residents and other health care customers. Clinical risks include: failure to follow evidence based practice, medication errors, hospital acquired conditions (HAC), serious safety events (SSE), health care equity, opportunities to improve safety within the care environments, and others.