New Study Reveals Concerning Increase in Polypharmacy Among Children and Adolescents
A recent study conducted in Maryland has shed light on a concerning trend in pediatric healthcare: the rising number of children and adolescents being prescribed multiple psychiatric drugs simultaneously. Published in JAMA Open Network, the study examined Medicaid data from 2015 to 2020, uncovering a 9.5 percent increase in the prevalence of “polypharmacy” among young patients.
Polypharmacy, as defined by the study, involves the concurrent use of three or more different classes of psychiatric medications. This includes antidepressants, mood-stabilizing anticonvulsants, sedatives, and drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety. Alarmingly, the study highlights that these combinations of drugs have not undergone safety testing or evaluation of their impact on the developing brains of young individuals.
While this study focused specifically on one state, previous national research has also indicated a rise in polypharmacy among young people. In 2015, a nationwide study found that 40.7 percent of individuals aged 2 to 24 in the United States who took medication for ADHD were also prescribed a second psychiatric drug. These findings underscore the urgency of addressing this issue on a broader scale.
The study further reveals that the practice of polypharmacy was more prevalent among youths who were disabled or in foster care. Among this vulnerable population, the prevalence of polypharmacy rose to 11.3 percent. This finding raises concerns about equitable access to appropriate healthcare, particularly for children in foster care who may already face numerous challenges.
While psychotropic medications can be beneficial in certain cases, experts are worried about the use of drugs that have not been approved for young individuals and the potential long-term effects of combining multiple medications on brain development. The study analyzed data from 126,972 Medicaid enrollees under the age of 17 in Maryland, highlighting an increase in polypharmacy from 4.2 percent in 2015 to 4.6 percent in 2020.
In conclusion, the study emphasizes the need for careful monitoring of the use of psychotropic combinations, especially among vulnerable populations such as youths enrolled in Medicaid with disabilities or in foster care. This observation underscores the importance of ensuring the well-being and healthy development of children and adolescents who rely on psychiatric medications. As healthcare providers and policymakers work together to address this concerning trend, it is essential to prioritize evidence-based practices and prioritize the safety and long-term outcomes for young individuals.
