Abuse and toxicity of methylphenidate.

Abstract

The therapeutic use of methylphenidate for the management of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children is increasing. As therapeutic use increases, the risk increases of unintentional overdoses, medication errors, and intentional overdoses caused by abuse, misuse, or suicide gestures and attempts. Side effects during therapy, which include nervousness, headache, insomnia, anorexia, and tachycardia, increase linearly with dose. Clinical manifestations of overdoses include agitation, hallucinations, psychosis, lethargy, seizures, tachycardia, dysrhythmias, hypertension, and hyperthermia. Methylphenidate tablets can be abused orally, or they can be crushed and the powder injected or snorted. Despite its abuse potential, there is disagreement regarding the extent to which methylphenidate is being diverted from legitimate use to abuse in preteens and adolescents.

• Authors: Wendy Klein-Schwartz
• Journal: Current opinion in pediatrics (Curr Opin Pediatr) Vol. 14 Issue 2 Pg. 219-23 (Apr 2002) ISSN: 1040-8703 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11981294 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Central Nervous System Stimulants
• Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
• Methylphenidate

Topics

• Adolescent
• Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (drug therapy)
• Central Nervous System Stimulants (adverse effects)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Drug Overdose
• Humans
• Methylphenidate (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Substance-Related Disorders (etiology)