title: Intravenous methylphenidate abuse. Prototype for prescription drug abuse.
abstract: Data are presented from a case series of 22 patients who abused methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin-SR). The abuse pattern and symptoms of toxicity were similar to that seen with cocaine hydrochloride and amphetamine sulfate addiction; yet, the morbidity and mortality seen in this case series were greater than usual for a group of patients involved in intravenous drug abuse. We describe the characteristics of the methylphenidate abuse syndrome in terms of the pharmacology of methylphenidate, the constituents of the Ritalin-SR preparation, and the disease of chemical dependence. We propose solutions to the problem of methylphenidate abuse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Francis Scott Key Medical Center, Baltimore, Md.
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Parran
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Jasinski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D008774:Methylphenidate