title: Abuse of methylphenidate in Germany: data from spontaneous reports of adverse drug reactions.
abstract: To retrieve insights into abuse/dependence of methylphenidate (MPH) in Germany, a query of a pharmacovigilance database was performed (observation interval: 1993 until 2012). From 1190 reports of any ADR related to MPH, n=23 (2%) cases of MPH abuse were identified (mean age 29 years; male sex 78%; mean daily MPH-dosage 111 ± 126.6 mg). As oral application was predominant (70%), the majority of reported cases of MPH abuse might be due to pharmacologic neuroenhancement.
authors.affiliation: University of Ulm, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, Leimgrubenweg 12-14, 89075 Ulm, Ulm, Germany. Electronic address: maximilian.gahr@uni-ulm.de.
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gahr
authors.affiliation: University of Ulm, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, Leimgrubenweg 12-14, 89075 Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Roland W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Freudenmann
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center of Mainz, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, 55131 Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hiemke
authors.affiliation: University of Ulm, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, Leimgrubenweg 12-14, 89075 Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kölle
authors.affiliation: University of Ulm, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, Leimgrubenweg 12-14, 89075 Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schönfeldt-Lecuona
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D060735:Pharmacovigilance; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D008774:Methylphenidate
keywords: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Neuroenhancement; Pharmacovigilance