A profile of methylphenidate exposures.
BACKGROUND
Methylphenidate is prescribed commonly for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. An estimated 2.8% of US youths aged 5 to 18 years use it for the management of this disorder. Despite the widespread use of methylphenidate, the demographics and outcome of intentional and unintentional exposures to methylphenidate have not been described.


METHODS
To profile human exposures to methylphenidate, a retrospective review of all reports to a certified regional poison information center during 1998 was conducted. Data analysis included patient demographics, reason for the exposure, dose ingested, clinical effects, and patient outcome.


RESULTS
There were 113 methylphenidate human exposures. The following table summarizes the values for selected parameters that were investigated: [table in text]


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of exposures in children < or = 12 years of age involved unintentional ingestion of a sibling's medication, self-administration of an excessive therapeutic dose, or the administration of an inadvertent dose given by a caregiver. Methylphenidate abuse was common among adolescents and adults. Regardless of the reason for the exposure, the amount ingested, or treatment, all exposures had a favorable outcome. Pediatric doses of less than 1 mg/kg were not associated with adverse events.
Foley
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University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Mrvos
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Krenzelok
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000506:poisoning*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000506:poisoning*; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D011041:Poisoning / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate