Intravenous Use of Prescription Psychostimulants; A Comparison of the Pattern and Subjective Experience between Different Methylphenidate Preparations, Amphetamine and Cocaine.
OBJECTIVE
Methylphenidate (MPH) has been the most commonly used intravenous (i.v.) substance in Iceland in recent years. In Iceland, MPH is available in 3 forms: immediate-release (IR) tablets (MPH IR, short-acting), sustainable-release (SR) capsules (MPH SR, long-acting) and osmotic-release (OROS) tablets (MPH OROS, long-acting). The aims of the study were to compare the pattern and subjective effects of i.v. MPH use to other i.v. psychostimulants and examine whether the pattern of use differs among MPH preparations.


METHODS
This is a nationwide descriptive study. Information was collected from 95 i.v. substance users undergoing inpatient detoxification and reporting i.v. MPH use in the last 30 days using a semi-structured interview.


RESULTS
MPH SR was both the most commonly used (96%) and preferred i.v. psychostimulant (57%). The intensity and duration of 'euphoria' did not differ between cocaine and MPH SR. No participant reported MPH OROS as their preferred substance even though a third had used it in the past month.


CONCLUSIONS
The pattern of i.v. MPH use is similar to other psychostimulants among treatment seeking patients. MPH OROS was the least preferred i.v. psychostimulant, despite having the largest market share in Iceland. The results indicate that MPH OROS has less abuse potential than other MPH preparations.
Mental Health Services, Landspitali - National University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Gudrun D
GD
Bjarnadottir
Andres
A
Magnusson
Bjarni O
BO
Rafnar
Engilbert
E
Sigurdsson
Steinn
S
Steingrimsson
Magnus
M
Johannsson
Helena
H
Bragadottir
H Magnus
HM
Haraldsson
D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000328:Adult; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004339:Drug Compounding; D005059:Euphoria / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D008774:Methylphenidate; D000661:Amphetamine; D003042:Cocaine