Non-medical use of methylphenidate among medical students of the University of the Free State

Roshini Jain,Mpho Koto,Gina Joubert,Ch Chiech Chang,Richard Nichol,Alden Geldenhuys

doi:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v23i0.1006

Abstract

Background: Faced with demanding training programmes, medical students may be more prone to use methylphenidate for non-medical purposes in order to improve concentration, alertness and academic performance.Aim: The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of the non-medical use of methylphenidate and knowledge of this drug among undergraduate medical students of the University of the Free State.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was distributed during lectures to all students in the five year groups of the undergraduate medical programme.Results: Of the 643 undergraduate medical students, 541 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 84.1%). Approximately 11.0% of surveyed students were using methylphenidate at the time of the study, of which the majority (67.9%) used it for academic purposes and 70.6% received it from a medical health professional. Less than a third of users had been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Methylphenidate users’ median knowledge was greater than non-users, and methylphenidate knowledge increased from first-year and second-year students to third-year to fifth-year students. Median knowledge scores per year group ranged from 52.0% to 60.0%.Conclusion: Methylphenidate is mainly used for non-medical purposes by medical students. Students generally have a low level of knowledge on methylphenidate. Specific information on methylphenidate should be included in lectures on stress management and study methods during the course of the medical curriculum.

Highlights

Methylphenidate is used mainly for the treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.[1]
Offlabel use in the United States (US) implies that the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permit physicians to prescribe approved medications for other than their intended indications, and misuse refers to the wrong, improper use or misapplication.[7,8]
This study investigated the prevalence of non-medical use and the extent of their knowledge of methylphenidate among undergraduate medical students of the University of the Free State (UFS)

Summary

Introduction

Methylphenidate is used mainly for the treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.[1]. Found that healthy high school and university students use methylphenidate to improve concentration, alertness and academic performance, or for recreational purposes.[2,3,4,5] The term ‘non-medical use’ of prescription drugs is defined by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as the taking of prescription drugs, whether obtained by prescription or otherwise, other than in the manner or for the reasons or time period prescribed, or by a person for whom the drug was not prescribed.[6] In contrast, offlabel use in the United States (US) implies that the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permit physicians to prescribe approved medications for other than their intended indications, and misuse refers to the wrong, improper use or misapplication.[7,8]. Faced with demanding training programmes, medical students may be more prone to use methylphenidate for non-medical purposes in order to improve concentration, alertness and academic performance

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion