Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40771645›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in psychiatry2025

Challenges in amphetamine medication availability for individuals with ADHD: a narrative review of the current state of evidence.

Mansour M Alotaibi, Naif Z Alrashdi, Bakriah Alzubaidi, Marzouq K Almutairi, Sultan A Alanazi, Anwar B Almutairi, Mohammed M Alqahtani

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in psychiatry, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Mansour M AlotaibiDepartment of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia.
Naif Z AlrashdiDepartment of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, Saudi Arabia.
Bakriah AlzubaidiDepartment of Rehabilitation, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Taif, Saudi Arabia.
Marzouq K AlmutairiDepartment of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.
Sultan A AlanaziDepartment of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, Saudi Arabia.
Anwar B AlmutairiDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait.
Mohammed M AlqahtaniDepartment of Respiratory Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder affecting individuals across various age groups. Access to amphetamine (AMPH) stimulant is a critical component of evidence-based care for individuals with ADHD. In Saudi Arabia, despite clinical guidelines endorsing their use, the availability of AMPH-based stimulants remains limited. Objective: This narrative review aims to explore the current regulatory and policy environment influencing AMPH medication availability for individuals diagnosed with ADHD in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A narrative review methodology was adopted following the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles guidelines. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, EBSCO, and PsycINFO using defined search terms related to ADHD, psychostimulants, and Saudi Arabia. Additional grey literature from key regulatory bodies, such as the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), the Ministry of Health (MOH), and the Saudi ADHD Society, was also reviewed. Thirteen articles and reports met the eligibility criteria and were included for qualitative synthesis. Results: Methylphenidate is the predominant stimulant prescribed for ADHD, while AMPH-based medications, such as lisdexamfetamine, are under prescribed due to regulatory restrictions, limited formulary inclusion, and supply inconsistencies. Policy reports from national institutions highlight persistent barriers to AMPH access, despite their inclusion in recent clinical practice guidelines. Prescription trends suggest significant treatment gaps for AMPH stimulants. Conclusion: The available evidence suggests a likely shortfall in AMPH-based medications. in Saudi Arabia, despite global and local evidence supporting their efficacy. Our findings suggest the need for enhancing regulatory pathways regarding AMPH access and availability, which requires policy interventions targeting regulatory reform, formulary expansion, and improved awareness among AMPH prescribers.

Indexed as

accessADHDamphetamineattention deficit hyperactivity disorderlisdexamfetaminepsychostimulants

Identifiers

PMID40771645
PMCPMC12326170

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.