Stimulants

Adderal pills, 20 mg

Prescription stimulants, such as methylphenidate (e.g., Ritalin) and amphetamine compounds (e.g., dextroamphetamine; Adderall), have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These medications are available in short, intermediate, and long-acting (i.e., sustained release) forms.

In response to the growing problems of opioid overdose involving stimulants and reported increases in prescription stimulant use, DEA has released two reports assessing trends related to prescription stimulant use in the U.S. from 2012-2022.

Reports

IQVIA Report on Stimulant Prescription Trends from 2012–2022 (PDF) (August 2023)

IQVIA Report on Stimulant Prescription Trends from 2012–2021 (PDF) (October 2022)

General Stimulant Information

DEA Fact Sheet on Stimulants (October 2022)