Off-label use of methylphenidate for cognitive enhancing among academic students
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Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
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Background: The use of psychostimulants for cognitive enhancing (CE), especially methylphenidate, is a
recognized practice among academic students. This practice has become a public health problem in many
countries, such as Canada, United States and United
Kingdom. In Brazil, methylphenidate is a prescription
drug used for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and narcolepsy.
Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of the use of
methylphenidate for CE among undergraduate and
graduate students.
Methods: Students of the Universidade Federal de
Minas Gerais, one of the largest Brazilian universities,
were invited by e-mail to answer a web-based questionnaire including: (i) demographics details; (ii) data on the
use of methylphenidate for CE; and (iii) information on
habits andlifestyle. Data were collected from September
2014 to January 2015. Absolute and relative
frequesncies were estimated. A multivariate analysis
was performed by applying the decision tree method
using the classification and regression tree – C&RT
algorithm to classify the cases of use of methylphenidate for CE in groups based on the exposure
variables.
Results: The study included 378 students, and 5.8%
reported the ever use of methylphenidate for CE; 41%
reported the use of methylphenidate for CE in the four
weeks preceding the survey. The housing situation was
the variable which best classified the students. When
considering the use of methylphenidate for CE and
other purposes, 11 students reported using the drug in
the four weeks preceding the survey, and 27% of them
had no prescription to purchase it. The use of other
drugs was also reported by 34.1% of the students, notably the use of opioids (11%).
Conclusions: Our results demonstrate a high prevalence of the practice of CE with the use of methylphenidate, similar to that observed in other countries (7%).
Off-label prescriptions and the acquisition of methylphenidate without a prescription may be a reason of
concern, especially due to the increased use and the
risk of harms associated with this drug. In addition, it
demonstrates important failures in the control of the
commercialization of this drug.
Abstract
Assunto
Medicamentos
Palavras-chave
Medicamentos, Off label, Metilfenidato, Estudantes
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Endereço externo
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/pds.4275