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20 - Abuse potential of stimulant drugs used to treat ADHD

from Section 5 - Pharmacological treatment of adult ADHD

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2011

By
Scott H. Kollins
Edited by
Jan K. Buitelaar ,
Cornelis C. Kan  and
Philip Asherson
Jan K. Buitelaar
Affiliation:
Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen Medical Center
Cornelis C. Kan
Affiliation:
Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen Medical Centerr
Philip Asherson
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
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Summary

This chapter delineates answers to several related but distinct questions pertaining to the abuse potential of stimulant drugs used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). First, the bulk of the clinical evidence suggests that treatment of ADHD with stimulant drugs reduces the risk for subsequent drug abuse, although more research is needed in this area. Second, a considerable literature in a number of species supports the abuse potential of the most commonly used medications to treat ADHD: methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine (AMP). Third, alternatives to stimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine and modafinil, do not seem to share the same level of abuse liability as the stimulant drugs. Finally, although there are rare cases of actual abuse or dependence on MPH or AMP as formulated for the treatment of ADHD, a more salient concern is the extent to which these drugs are diverted and misused in non-ADHD individuals.
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ADHD in Adults
Characterization, Diagnosis, and Treatment
 , pp. 230 - 239
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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