Objectives:Prescription rates of methylphenidate (MPH) are sharply rising in most Western countries. Although it has been reported that MPH has abuse potential, little is known about the prevalence of intravenous (IV) abuse of MPH. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of IV MPH abuse among treatment-seeking IV substance abusers in Iceland.Methods:This is a descriptive population-based study using a semistructured interview assessing sociodemographics, substance abuse history, and the method of administration of 108 IV substance abusers. During 1 year, consecutively admitted adult inpatients with substance use disorder at any detoxification center in Iceland that reported any IV substance abuse in the past 30 days were invited to participate. Abuse was defined as nontherapeutic use of a substance to gain psychological or physiological effect.Results:Prevalence of any IV MPH abuse among participants was 88% in the last 30 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82-0.94) and MPH was the most commonly abused substance (65%) and the preferred substance (63%). Around one third (30%) reported MPH as the first IV substance ever abused. However, among those reporting a shorter history than 10 years of IV abuse, 42% reported MPH as the first IV substance ever abused.Conclusions:This first nationwide study on IV abuse of MPH shows that it is common among treatment-seeking IV abusers in Iceland and suggests that MPH has high abuse potential. Therefore, both the use and possible abuse of MPH in those with high abuse potential should be monitored, especially in countries where MPH prescriptions rates are on the rise.
Background/Aims: 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.
Objective. To investigate whether participation of factor B (FB) in immune complex transport might explain long periods of clinical remissions in a homozygous C2-deficient patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treated regularly with plasma infusions.Methods. Immune complex red cell binding (ICRB) was assayed as enzyme activity, C3d by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay, and FB by immunoelectrophoresis.Results. C2-deficient sera showed low-grade ICRB, which correlated with levels of FB. This activity could be blocked with antibodies to Clq, C4, or FB, but not by antibodies to C2. C3d levels in the patient's plasma changed during infusion, followed by a gradient increase during remission. Comparison of ICRB, C3d, and FB suggested an inverse relationship between FB levels and clinical symptoms.Conclusion. In C2 deficiency, FB may interact with C4 to provide a low-grade ICRB. This activity could be clinically significant in patients with C2 deficiency and explain why they are less prone to SLE than patients with Clq or C4 deficiency.Deficiencies of the components which participate in the classical pathway of the complement system are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or
Background:Prescription and sale of Methylphenidate (MPD) has increased sharply in Iceland in recent years as it has done worldwide. MPD is known to have abuse potential but significant i.v. use of prescription stimulants has not been reported in the literature. Clinical experience however has indicated that such i.v. use has now become very prevalent in Iceland.Aim:To investigate the prevalence, pattern and symptoms of i.v. MPD abuse in Iceland.Method:The study is cross-sectional in design. The study tool is a semi-structured interview designed especially for the purpose of this study. All substance abusers admitted to drug treatment in Iceland who have used substances i.v. in the past 30 days, are offered to participate in the study. The aim is to include 150 individuals.Result:The study is in its preliminary stage. First results show that MPD is now the most commonly abused i.v. drug in Iceland, 85% of the sample admitted to using MPD i.v. in the past 30 days. Methylphenidate is preferred by i.v. substance abusers over illegal stimulants.Conclusion:Our preliminary data shows that MPD abuse is a very prevalent problem in Iceland. It is the most commonly abused i.v. drug in Iceland at present. It is important to objectively verify and characterize the pattern of MPD abuse as to evaluate the complications associated with i.v. use of MPD. Increased knowledge of this problem is necessary both for Iceland as well as other countries.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.