Stimulant Prescribing and Stimulant-Involved Deaths in Philadelphia

While much national attention has focused on over-prescribing of opioids, physicians have also greatly increased prescribing of stimulant drugs, primarily for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These drugs include methylphenidate, amphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine. This increase in prescribing coincides with high levels of use of illicit stimulants, include cocaine and methamphetamine (while most methamphetamine use is illicit, this drug is occasionally prescribed legally). All of these stimulant drugs increase attention, mood and energy in the short-term, but they are addictive and have been associated with severe cardiac, neurologic and psychiatric side effects, including sudden death, stroke, seizures and psychosis. These drugs are also often used in combination with other addictive drugs, and stimulants are increasingly found in drug overdose deaths, usually in combination with opioids. This issue of CHART highlights the scale and trajectory of stimulant prescribing and stimulant-related deaths in Philadelphia. <a href="https://medium.com/@PHLPublicHealth/stimulant-prescribing-and-stimulant-involved-deaths-in-philadelphia-2454074025aa">Visit Now</a>