Misconception of 'Study Drug': ADHD Medication Prescriptions for Teens Rise Every Year

Prescriptions Concentrated in Areas Such as Gangnam and Seocho in Seoul, and Bundang in Gyeonggi Province

The number of patients aged 19 and under who have been prescribed methylphenidate, a medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that is often mistakenly believed to enhance academic performance, has been increasing every year.

According to last month's issue of the "Monthly Trends in Medical Narcotics" published by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on January 11, the number of male patients aged 19 and under who were prescribed methylphenidate from January to September last year was 113,263.

The appearance of the academy district.

This figure has already surpassed the total number of male patients aged 19 and under prescribed methylphenidate in 2024, which was 107,267.

Among females, the number of patients aged 19 and under prescribed the medication from January to September last year was 49,209, also exceeding the total for the entire year of 2024, which was 45,764. Compared to 2023, the number of both male and female patients increased by more than 10,000 each. Since 2021, the number of patients aged 19 and under being prescribed methylphenidate has been steadily rising.

Methylphenidate is a medical narcotic that stimulates the central nervous system and increases alertness. It is a prescription drug that should be used under a doctor's supervision for the treatment of ADHD. However, among students preparing for exams and their parents, it has been mistakenly promoted as a "study-enhancing drug" or a "concentration booster," raising concerns about misuse and abuse.

An analysis by the National Pension Service of prescription numbers and actual patient counts from 2007 to 2024 found that prescriptions are most common among teenagers and those in the highest income quintile. There is also a tendency for prescriptions of this medication to be concentrated in regions known for high income and educational enthusiasm, such as Gangnam-gu and Seocho-gu in Seoul, and Bundang-gu in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.

Abuse of methylphenidate can lead to side effects such as headaches and insomnia, and in severe cases, hallucinations, delusions, and even suicide attempts. Special caution is required when it comes to adolescent use.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has so far focused on preventing misuse by cracking down on illegal advertising and sales of methylphenidate during the college entrance exam season and monitoring suspicious medical institutions. This year, the ministry plans to strengthen enforcement using artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies.