Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition, with 9.8% of U.S. children aged 3–17 years ever receiving a diagnosis. According to a 2019–2020 mail survey, 60% of U.S. children aged 2–17 years diagnosed with ADHD take medication for its treatment. Prevalence of medications taken for ADHD is less studied in adults, a concern because central nervous system (CNS) stimulants carry a risk for overdose and illicit transferals. Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) January 2015–March 2020 data, prevalence of taking medication for ADHD in the U.S. civilian, non-institutionalized population aged 5–29 years was estimated.

Methods: Self-reported prescription medication use within the prior 30 days, including for ADHD, was analyzed. To account for the complex survey design, R survey packages were used to calculate national prevalence estimates of recent medication use for ADHD. Pairwise T-tests were used to compare prevalence by age group, sex, and race/ethnicity.

Results: Overall, 5.6% (95% CI: 4.7–6.7%) of children, adolescents, and young adults aged 5–19 years and 2.6% (95% CI: 1.4–4.5%) of adults aged 20–29 years took a medication for ADHD, with the highest use among Non-Hispanic White males (8.0%; 95% CI: 6.3–10.0%). CNS stimulants were the most common medications taken among individuals aged 5–19 years (5.6%; 95% CI: 4.7–6.7%), though 2.6% (95% CI: 1.3–4.5%) of adults aged 20–29 years took a CNS stimulant.

Conclusions: Nearly all medications used for ADHD are CNS stimulants. Though CNS stimulant use decreases with age, the risk for overdose and illicit transferals persist into adulthood.