More ADHD drugs, fewer antibiotics prescribed to kids

June 18, 2012 (WLS) -- U.S. children are being prescribed fewer antibiotics but are getting more ADHD drugs.

Antibiotics use fell by 14 percent, suggesting efforts to curb rampant overuse may be working, but the use of ADHD drugs grew by a whopping 46 percent over an eight-year period.

The study suggests the number of children being treated for ADHD has gone up. Experts disagree on whether that's good or bad.

Apart from ADHD drugs, asthma medicine and birth control pills also showed increases.

The study appears in the journal Pediatrics.

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