England 2016/17 to 2025/26

Published 23 July 2026

Summary

In England in 2025/26:

4.2 million CNS stimulants and ADHD drug items were prescribed to an estimated 427,000 identified patients.

The number of items prescribed increased by 25% compared to 2024/25, while the number of identified patients increased by 31%.

The number of identified patients has risen by 40% in adults and 17% in children since 2024/25.

1. Things you should know

CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD are described in the British National Formulary (BNF) section 4.4:

  • BNF chemical substance 0404000D0 - Caffeine
  • BNF chemical substance 0404000E0 - Caffeine citrate
  • BNF chemical substance 0404000L0 - Dexamfetamine sulfate
  • BNF chemical substance 0404000M0 - Methylphenidate hydrochloride
  • BNF chemical substance 0404000R0 - Modafinil
  • BNF chemical substance 0404000S0 - Atomoxetine hydrochloride
  • BNF chemical substance 0404000T0 - Dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride
  • BNF chemical substance 0404000U0 - Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate
  • BNF chemical substance 0404000V0 - Guanfacine
  • BNF chemical substance 0404000W0 - Pitolisant hydrochloride

BNF section 4.4 contains a single BNF paragraph and many chemical substances, therefore analysis in this narrative has been limited to section level data. Chemical substance level data is available in the supporting summary tables.

This paragraph is held in the same structure of the BNF prior to the release of version 70.

1.1. Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and drugs used for ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) refer to a range of problem behaviours associated with poor attention span. These may include impulsiveness and hyperactivity, as well as inattentiveness; behaviours that often prevent children and adults from learning and socialising. ADHD is sometimes referred to as hyperkinetic disorder (HD).

You can find more information about ADHD in children and young people and ADHD in adults on the NHS website.

2. Results - Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and drugs used for ADHD

Number of CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD items prescribed in England 2016/17 to 2025/26

Chart
Figure 1: CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD items increased rapidly between 2020/21 and 2025/26
Table
Table 1: CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD items increased rapidly between 2020/21 and 2025/26
Financial year BNF section name Total items
2016/2017 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 1,402,028
2017/2018 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 1,492,565
2018/2019 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 1,606,184
2019/2020 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 1,799,082
2020/2021 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 1,832,286
2021/2022 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 2,132,077
2022/2023 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 2,544,087
2023/2024 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 2,914,733
2024/2025 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 3,381,200
2025/2026 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 4,243,160

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD

There were 4.2 million CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD items prescribed in 2025/26, which was 25% more than 2024/25. Items have increased every year since 2016/17. There was a greater rate of increase between 2020/21 to 2025/26, with the steepest increase between 2024/25 and 2025/26.

The increase in items between 2020/21 and 2025/26 was mainly driven by the increase in prescribing of methylphenidate hydrochloride and lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. Prescribing of methylphenidate hydrochloride increased from 1.25 million items in 2020/21 to 2.3 million items in 2025/26, an increase of 83%. Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate increased from 250,000 items in 2020/21 to 1.2 million items in 2025/26, an increase of 395%.

Number of identified patients prescribed one or more CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD items in England 2016/17 to 2025/26

BNF section 0404 has relatively low patient identification rates compared to the other BNF sections in this publication, with the most recent at 92.4% for 2025/26. This may result in an underestimate of the number of patients receiving prescribing. The patient identification rate has increased from 81.9% in 2016/17, and should be considered when comparing patient counts across the financial years. Patient identification rates can be found in the supporting summary tables.

Chart
Figure 2: Identified patients prescribed CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD increased every year since 2016/17
Table
Table 2: Identified patients prescribed CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD increased every year since 2016/17
Financial year BNF section name Total identified patients
2016/2017 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 115,945
2017/2018 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 124,789
2018/2019 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 136,211
2019/2020 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 154,858
2020/2021 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 162,838
2021/2022 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 192,105
2022/2023 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 233,474
2023/2024 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 277,640
2024/2025 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 326,450
2025/2026 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 426,504

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD

In 2025/26, an estimated 427,000 identified patients received at least one prescription item for CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD. This was a 31% increase from 2024/25. Identified patients have had a very similar upward trend to items, rising every year since 2016/17. There was also a steeper incline since 2020/21, with the steepest increase between 2024/25 and 2025/26.

Number of items and identified patients for CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD prescribing in England, quarter 1 2016/17 to quarter 4 2025/26

Chart
Figure 3: CNS stimulants and ADHD drugs items and identified patients increased in every quarter of 2025/26
Table
Table 3: CNS stimulants and ADHD drugs items and identified patients increased in every quarter of 2025/26
Financial quarter BNF section name Total identified patients Total items
2016/2017 Q1 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 88,615 346,859
2016/2017 Q2 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 87,290 338,907
2016/2017 Q3 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 90,318 357,651
2016/2017 Q4 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 92,986 358,611
2017/2018 Q1 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 94,863 367,206
2017/2018 Q2 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 94,241 362,571
2017/2018 Q3 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 97,723 381,695
2017/2018 Q4 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 100,442 381,093
2018/2019 Q1 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 103,198 395,372
2018/2019 Q2 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 102,247 383,796
2018/2019 Q3 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 106,611 412,807
2018/2019 Q4 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 110,023 414,209
2019/2020 Q1 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 114,743 432,758
2019/2020 Q2 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 116,214 431,137
2019/2020 Q3 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 121,956 458,777
2019/2020 Q4 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 126,883 476,410
2020/2021 Q1 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 118,324 427,907
2020/2021 Q2 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 121,768 440,128
2020/2021 Q3 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 130,631 486,937
2020/2021 Q4 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 132,573 477,314
2021/2022 Q1 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 139,694 508,883
2021/2022 Q2 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 141,843 509,041
2021/2022 Q3 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 150,203 548,468
2021/2022 Q4 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 158,639 565,685
2022/2023 Q1 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 167,222 604,284
2022/2023 Q2 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 170,729 607,427
2022/2023 Q3 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 181,006 645,577
2022/2023 Q4 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 191,612 686,799
2023/2024 Q1 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 202,304 711,369
2023/2024 Q2 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 207,509 716,393
2023/2024 Q3 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 209,895 727,930
2023/2024 Q4 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 222,022 759,041
2024/2025 Q1 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 232,374 795,381
2024/2025 Q2 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 233,807 805,688
2024/2025 Q3 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 248,012 869,914
2024/2025 Q4 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 265,566 910,217
2025/2026 Q1 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 283,932 964,837
2025/2026 Q2 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 297,350 1,010,930
2025/2026 Q3 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 323,490 1,098,413
2025/2026 Q4 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 354,479 1,168,980

Source: Quarterly statistical summary tables - CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD

CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD items and identified patients both increased across all 4 quarters of 2025/26. In quarter 4 of 2025/26, prescribing in this section increased to 1.2 million items, 6.4% more than the previous quarter. This was also 28% more items than the same quarter in 2024/25. Identified patients also increased to an estimated 354,000 in January to March 2026. This was an increase of 9.6% from the previous quarter and 33% more than the same quarter in 2024/25.

Number of identified patients prescribed CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD by age band and gender, England 2025/26

The data used in this chart and table includes identified patients where age and gender are known (98.8%). The number of patients is the raw figure and has not been adjusted by the national population of the same age and gender group. When interpreting demographic information the underlying populations should also be considered.

Statistical disclosure control has been applied to rows containing fewer than 5 patients and will appear as NA in the table.

Chart
Figure 4: Male patients aged 10 to 14 was the largest prescribing group for CNS stimulants and ADHD drugs in 2025/26
Table
Table 4: Male patients aged 10 to 14 was the largest prescribing group for CNS stimulants and ADHD drugs in 2025/26
BNF section name Age band Patient gender Total identified patients
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 0 to 4 Female NA
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 0 to 4 Male 31
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 5 to 9 Female 6,030
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 5 to 9 Male 19,356
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 10 to 14 Female 20,831
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 10 to 14 Male 60,976
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 15 to 19 Female 26,507
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 15 to 19 Male 47,140
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 20 to 24 Female 21,265
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 20 to 24 Male 21,215
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 25 to 29 Female 24,517
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 25 to 29 Male 20,900
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 30 to 34 Female 23,636
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 30 to 34 Male 20,907
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 35 to 39 Female 19,942
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 35 to 39 Male 16,275
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 40 to 44 Female 14,926
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 40 to 44 Male 11,439
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 45 to 49 Female 10,992
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 45 to 49 Male 8,473
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 50 to 54 Female 7,584
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 50 to 54 Male 5,944
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 55 to 59 Female 4,638
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 55 to 59 Male 3,624
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 60 to 64 Female 2,224
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 60 to 64 Male 1,895
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 65 to 69 Female 881
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 65 to 69 Male 824
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 70 to 74 Female 471
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 70 to 74 Male 432
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 75 to 79 Female 311
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 75 to 79 Male 333
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 80 to 84 Female 156
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 80 to 84 Male 124
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 85 to 89 Female 90
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 85 to 89 Male 80
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 90+ Female 27
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 90+ Male 29

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD

Since 2016/17, there has been a noticeable difference in prescribing for CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD by gender, with more male patients receiving prescribing than female patients. This continued in 2025/26, with an estimated 241,000 male patients compared to 185,000 female patients.

Male patients aged 10 to 14 was the largest group across all age and gender groups in 2025/26. Of all identified patients with a known age and gender, 14% were male patients aged 10 to 14. Male patients aged 15 to 19 was the second largest group, at 11%. The overall number of female patients was lower and the largest group of female patients were those aged 15 to 19, followed by those aged 25 to 29.

Number of identified patients prescribed CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD by Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile, England 2025/26

Chart
Figure 5: Number of patients prescribed CNS stimulants and ADHD drugs was highest in quintiles 2 and 3
Table
Table 5: Number of patients prescribed CNS stimulants and ADHD drugs was highest in quintiles 2 and 3
BNF section name IMD quintile Total identified patients Total items Items per patient
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 1 - Most Deprived 90,747 801,301 8.8
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 2 93,776 814,208 8.7
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 3 91,334 784,489 8.6
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 4 88,659 767,963 8.7
CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 5 - Least Deprived 85,381 750,242 8.8

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD

In 2025/26, there were an estimated 90,700 patients prescribed CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD items in the most deprived areas in England. This was 6.3% more than those in the least deprived areas.

In 2025/26, more patients were prescribed CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD items in quintiles 2 and 3 than any other quintile. For the first time since 2016/2017, quintile 3 had a greater number of identified patients than quintile 1, with 587 more patients than the most deprived areas.

The number of items prescribed per patient on average is similar across quintiles. In 2025/26, there were 8.8 items per patient prescribed on average in both the most and least deprived areas.

Number of identified patients prescribed CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD per 1,000 population by ICB, England 2025/26

Map
Figure 6 (map): Identified patients prescribed CNS stimulants and ADHD drugs per 1,000 population varied by ICB
Chart
Figure 6 (chart): Identified patients prescribed CNS stimulants and ADHD drugs per 1,000 population varied by ICB

Note: After rounding the data, some ICBs have the same number of estimated patients per 1,000 population. This chart has been arranged by the unrounded values for each ICB.

Table
Table 6: Identified patients prescribed CNS stimulants and ADHD drugs per 1,000 population varied by ICB
ICB name ICB code BNF section name Patients per 1000 population
NHS North West London ICB QRV CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 15.8
NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB QHL CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 12.5
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB QYG CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 11.5
NHS Kent and Medway ICB QKS CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 10.7
NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB QOX CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 10.3
NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB QXU CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 10.1
NHS North Central London ICB QMJ CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 9.9
NHS Lincolnshire ICB QJM CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 9.9
NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB QOC CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 9.1
NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB QUY CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 8.7
NHS South East London ICB QKK CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 8.6
NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly ICB QT6 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 8.4
NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB QJ2 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 8.2
NHS South West London ICB QWE CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 8.2
NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB QHG CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 8.1
NHS Sussex ICB QNX CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 7.7
NHS Mid and South Essex ICB QH8 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 7.7
NHS Frimley ICB QNQ CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 7.7
NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB QU9 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 7.6
NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB QT1 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 7.5
NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB QK1 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 7.3
NHS Devon ICB QJK CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 7.3
NHS Dorset ICB QVV CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 7.2
NHS South Yorkshire ICB QF7 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 7.1
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB QRL CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 7.0
NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB QMM CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 7.0
NHS Greater Manchester ICB QOP CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 6.8
NHS North East London ICB QMF CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 6.8
NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB QJG CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 6.6
NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB QGH CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 6.5
NHS Northamptonshire ICB QPM CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 6.3
NHS Somerset ICB QSL CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 6.2
NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB QM7 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 6.2
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB QE1 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 5.8
NHS Black Country ICB QUA CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 5.7
NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB QNC CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 5.1
NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB QUE CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 5.0
NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB QHM CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 4.7
NHS Coventry and Warwickshire ICB QWU CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 4.6
NHS West Yorkshire ICB QWO CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 4.3
NHS Gloucestershire ICB QR1 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 4.2
NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB QOQ CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 3.6

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD | Office for National Statistics - ICB Mid-2024 population estimates

In 2025/26, NHS North West London ICB had the highest estimated number of identified patients per 1,000 population prescribed at least one CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD item. There were an estimated 16 patients per 1,000 population in this ICB.

NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB had the lowest estimated number of identified patients prescribed at least one CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD item. This ICB had an estimated 4 patients per 1,000 population.

Prescribing in adults and children

Number of identified patients prescribed CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD, by adult and child age bands, England 2025/26

Children are classed as patients aged 17 and under at 30 September for the given financial year.

Chart
Figure 7: The number of patients prescribed CNS stimulants and ADHD drugs has increased more rapidly in adults than in children
Table
Table 7: The number of patients prescribed CNS stimulants and ADHD drugs has increased more rapidly in adults than in children
Financial year BNF section name Age band Total identified patients
2016/2017 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 17 and under 71,427
2016/2017 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 18 and over 43,236
2017/2018 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 17 and under 75,113
2017/2018 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 18 and over 47,533
2018/2019 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 17 and under 80,630
2018/2019 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 18 and over 53,726
2019/2020 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 17 and under 90,397
2019/2020 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 18 and over 62,632
2020/2021 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 17 and under 89,882
2020/2021 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 18 and over 71,707
2021/2022 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 17 and under 99,925
2021/2022 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 18 and over 90,812
2022/2023 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 17 and under 112,414
2022/2023 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 18 and over 119,748
2023/2024 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 17 and under 123,510
2023/2024 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 18 and over 152,874
2024/2025 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 17 and under 135,221
2024/2025 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 18 and over 190,076
2025/2026 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 17 and under 158,394
2025/2026 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD 18 and over 266,853

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD

In 2025/26, out of the total number of patients with a known age, there were 267,000 adult patients and 158,000 child patients, prescribed CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD. There were 40% more adult identified patients and 17% more child identified patients compared to 2024/25.

For both adults and children, the increase in items was smaller than the increase in identified patients since 2024/25. In 2025/26, items prescribed to adults increased by 39% to 2.6 million, and increased by 14% for children to 1.3 million items.

3. Sections in this release