Prescription Diabetes Drugs on the Rise for Kids

According to a study that appeared in the November, 2008 issue of Pediatrics, prescribed medications for chronic diseases and conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, have increased between the years 2002 and 2005.

Antidiabetic medication use has doubled during this period, with kids between the ages of 15 to 19 receiving the most prescriptions. More than 3 million kids were included in the study, which drew information from a nationally representative sample of kids who were commercially insured. Within this group of kids, girls were prescribed more type 2 diabetes medications than boys.

The increase in prescription medications for kids parallels the rising obesity rate. Overweight and obesity doubles the risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

The fact that more teen girls are taking antidiabetics, like metformin, might not mean that more girls than boys are getting diabetes. There are other reasons why teen girls might be taking antidiabetics.

• Antidiabetics are also used to treat polycystic ovary syndrome
• Metabolic syndrome is also treated with antidiabetics.
• The study shows that more teen girls see their physicians, than teen boys.

Other prescribed drugs are also on the rise for kids, including medications for asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and depression.

More from your diabetes guide...

• Keep Your Kids Diabetes-Free
• Type 2 Diabetes and Kids