Patterns of Methylphenidate Use and Assessment of Its Abuse among the ă General Population and Individuals with Drug Dependence

Elisabeth Frauger, Despina Amaslidou, Michel Spadari, Veronique Allaria-Lapierre, David Braunstein, Vincent Sciortino, Xavier Thirion, Samira Djezzar and Joëlle Micallef
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Joëlle Micallef: INT - Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

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Abstract: Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the extent of ă methylphenidate (MPH) abuse and characterize its patterns by following ă several cases involving intravenous administration of crushed MPH ă tablets. Methods: First, a drug reimbursement database (covering 4 ă million inhabitants) was explored to assess the magnitude of MPH abuse ă among the general population, and second, a specific study based on ă individuals with drug dependence was performed to describe abusers' ă characteristics (n = 64), patterns of abuse and clinical implications. ă Results: From 2005 to 2011, the number of patients who were dispensed ă MPH at least once increased by 166%. The patients with `deviant' ă patterns of MPH consumption were mainly male adults with opiate ă maintenance treatment reimbursements. MPH abusers had precarious living ă conditions. Half of them consumed MPH daily by intravenous route and ă reported amphetamine-like effects (cardiovascular events, weight loss, ă psychiatric adverse events). Conclusion: Given the increase of MPH use, ă it is important to warn the scientific community about possible MPH ă abuse, especially in individuals with drug dependence. This study has ă facilitated public health intervention and dissemination of information ă related to MPH abuse among health care professionals at local and ă national levels. (C) 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel

Keywords: Quality; of; Life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Published in European Addiction Research, 2016, 22 (3), pp.119-126. ⟨10.1159/000439273⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01482640

DOI: 10.1159/000439273

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