Central stimulants in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. A naturalistic study of the prescription in Sweden, 1977-2007.

Background: An increased prescription of central stimulants (CS) for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents has been reported in Sweden.

Aims: To follow-up the treatment with CS as concerns total as well as regional differences in prescription rate. Efficacy and side-effects reported and gender differences in prescription over time also have been summarized.