Assessing the abuse potential of methylphenidate in nonhuman and human subjects: a review
Abstract
Methylphenidate (MPH) is widely used for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children, adolescents, and adults. Methylphenidate is clearly effective for the treatment of ADHD, but there is controversy as to whether it has significant abuse potential like other psychostimulants (e.g., D-amphetamine and cocaine). In general, the drug is believed to be abused at rates much lower than those for other stimulants. The present review examines studies that investigated the behavioral pharmacological profile of methylphenidate and discusses how results from these studies address its abuse liability. Using MEDLINE search terms methylphenidate, drug discrimination, reinforcement, self-administration, subjective effects, subject-rated effects, abuse potential, and abuse liability, along with a review of the references from identified articles, 60 studies were located in which the reinforcing, discriminative-stimulus, or subjective effects of methylphenidate were directly assessed in nonhumans or humans. Forty-eight (80.0%) of the studies reviewed indicate that methylphenidate either functions in a manner similar to D-amphetamine or cocaine (e.g., functions as a reinforcer, substitutes fully in drug discrimination experiments), or produces a pattern of subjective effects suggestive of abuse potential. The results are discussed as they pertain to factors that may account for the apparent discrepancy in abuse rates between methylphenidate and other stimulants…
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There have been reports of abuse and misuse of stimulant ADHD medication.
“and there have been reports of abuse and misuse of stimulant ADHD medication (Kollins, MacDonald, & Rush, 2001; Wilens et al., 2008).”
From Stimulant <scp>ADHD</scp> medication and risk for substance abuse (2014) · cites this paper as Kollins, MacDonald, & Rush, 2001
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“…Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA S. H. Kollins (*) Duke ADHD Program, 718 Rutherford Street, Durham, NC 27701, USA e-mail: Kolli001@mc.duke.edu profile similar to other drugs of abuse, such as amphetamine and cocaine (Kollins 2003; Kollins et al. 2001).”
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To Prescribe or Not? Pharmacological Options in Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
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- Authors
- Kollins, S. H., MacDonald, E. K., & Rush, C. R.
- Affiliations
- Duke Medical Center (US)
- Western Michigan University (US)
- University of Kentucky (US)
- Corresponding author
- Kollins, Scott H
- Venue
- Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2001-03
- Volume
- 68
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 611-627
- ISSN
- 0091-3057 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2033200028
- Cited by
- 365
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2025: 6 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 20
- FWCI
- 1.17
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA010325, DA10325)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Keywords
- methylphenidate, abuse liability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, psychostimulants, drug discrimination, self-administration, reinforcement, subjective effects, d-amphetamine, cocaine, pharmacokinetics
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Humans, Methylphenidate, Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors, Substance-Related Disorders
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