Surveillance of Diversion and Nonmedical Use of Extended-Release Prescription Amphetamine and Oral Methylphenidate in the United States

Abstract

This article examines rates of nonmedical use and diversion of extended-release amphetamine and extended-release oral methylphenidate in the United States. Prescription dispensing data were sourced from retail pharmacies. Nonmedical use data were collected from the Researched Abuse, Diversion and Addiction-Related Surveillance (RADARS) System Drug Diversion Program and Poison Center Program. Drug diversion trends nearly overlapped for extended-release amphetamine and extended-release oral methylphenidate. Calls to poison centers were generally similar; however, calls regarding extended-release amphetamine trended slightly lower than those for extended-release oral methylphenidate. Data suggest similar diversion and poison center call rates for extended-release amphetamine and extended-release oral methylphenidate.

KEYWORDS:

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
• amphetamine
• methylphenidate
• psycho- stimulants
• substance abuse and dependence

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Saul Shiffman, Pinney Associates, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, for his contributions to the development of the concept.

Pinney Associates, funded by Shire Development Inc., wrote and edited this manuscript together with Ms. Buchholtz. Shire Development Inc. was involved in the concept development and fact checking, approved the manuscript, and purchased RADARS® System reports. At the time of the initial writing of this manuscript, Ms. Buchholtz was an employee of Denver Health and Hospital Authority, which operates the RADARS System. Ms. Ertischek, Mr. Sembower, and Dr. Schnoll are employees of Pinney Associates and have consulted for Shire Development, Inc. Mr. Dasgupta is a paid consultant to Pinney Associates and has consulted for Shire Development, Inc. through Pinney Associates. Mr. Dasgupta and Dr. Schnoll advise Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Center, a department of Denver Health and Hospital Authority.

Notes

1. The prescribing information for all prescription stimulants for the treatment of ADHD have a black box warning about misuse, abuse, and dependence.