Non-medical use of methylphenidate by medical students: prevalence and motivations. Integrative review

• Autor(a) principal: Batista da Costa, Leticia
• Data de Publicação: 2021
• Outros Autores: Sousa, Jiliélisson Oliveira de, Silva, Samillys Valeska Bezerra de França, Almeida, Valéria Duarte de, Fernandes, Thales Allyrio Araújo de Medeiros
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Revista Ciências em Saúde
• Texto Completo: https://portalrcs.hcitajuba.org.br/index.php/rcsfmit_zero/article/view/1042
• topic: methylphenidate; medical students; non-prescription drug misuse; methylphenidate; medical students; non-prescription drug misuse

Objective: This study performed a literature review evaluating aspects of prevalence and motivations on the non-medical use of methylphenidate by medical students. Methods: We searched the Scopus, PubMed, SciELO, and Web of Science databases and the Google Scholar search tool using the keywords "Methylphenidate" and "Medical Student" and their correlates in Portuguese. A total of 472 articles were recovered, of which 24 were included for full reading and discussion after the application of the pre-established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: It was observed that the prevalence of non-prescribed use of methylphenidate ranged from 0.51% in Lithuania to 35% in Colombia. The main motivations reported for using the drug were academic outcomes improvement and increase in concentration during studies, although research shows no significant improvement in academic performance with the use of medication by healthy individuals. Conclusion: The non-prescribed use of methylphenidate presents a high and worrying frequency. Also, scientific studies questioning the use of psychostimulant medications for cognitive improvement by healthy students make the practice illegal and unfounded.