title: Subjective Report of Side Effects of Prescribed and Nonprescribed Psychostimulant Use in Young Adults.
abstract: Side effects of prescribed and nonprescribed psychostimulant use are understudied.
  
  
  
  The study examined side effects of prescribed and nonprescribed psychostimulant use in a college sample with attention to possible gender differences.
  
  
  
  2716 undergraduates (1448 male) between the ages of 17 and 57 years (M = 19.43 years, SD = 1.7 years) completed an online survey that included questions about the subjective side effects of prescribed and nonprescribed psychostimulant use.
  
  
  
  Results suggested that prescribed users more frequently reported side effects, compared to nonprescribed users. For prescribed users, females more frequently reported appetite, somatic, and anxiety-related side effects compared to males. For nonprescribed users, while females reported more somatic and anxiety-related side effects, males more frequently reported loss of sex drive and sweating as side effects. Conclusions/Importance: These findings suggest prescribed users of psychostimulants more frequently report side effects with prominent gender differences in line with gender roles.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Kentucky , Lexington , Kentucky , USA.
authors.forename: Tess E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Kentucky , Lexington , Kentucky , USA.
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Martel
authors.affiliation: b Department of Communication , University of Kentucky , Lexington , Kentucky , USA.
authors.forename: Alan D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: DeSantis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D055553:Prescription Drugs
keywords: Psychostimulants; gender differences; nonprescribed use; side effects