Methylphenidate effective in treating amphetamine abusers with no other psychiatric disorder

Sustained-release methylphenidate in methamphetamine dependence treatment: a double-blind and placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The objective of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of sustained-release methylphenidate (MPH-SR) in treatment of methamphetamine dependence.

METHODS

Fifty-six individuals who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for methamphetamine dependence participated in this 10-week trial. The participants were randomly allocated into two groups and received 18 to 54 mg/day sustained-released methylphenidate or placebo for 10 weeks. Craving was evaluated by a visual analogue craving scale every week. Urinary screening test for methamphetamine was carried out each week. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was used to monitor participant depressive symptoms at baseline and bi-weekly during the treatment period.

RESULTS

At the end of the trial, the MPH-SR group was less methamphetamine positive compared to the placebo group and the difference was significant (p = 0.03). By the end of the study, MPH-SR group showed significantly less craving scores compared to the placebo group [MD (95% CI) = -10.28(0.88-19.18), t(54) = 2.19, p = 0.03]. There was greater improvement in the depressive symptoms scores in the intervention group compared to the placebo group [MD (95% CI) =2.03(0.31-3.75), t (54) =2.37, p = 0.02].

CONCLUSION

Sustained-released methylphenidate was safe and well tolerated among active methamphetamine users and significantly reduced methamphetamine use, craving and depressive symptoms.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

IRCT201202281556N38.

Pharmacotherapy for stimulant-related disorders

Stimulant-related disorders (SRD) continue to be an important public health problem for which there are presently no approved pharmacotherapies. Although behavioral interventions provide some benefit response varies. The development of novel and effective pharmacotherapies continues to be a research priority. Understanding neural mechanisms critical to the action of stimulants has helped reveal several potential pharmacotherapies that have already shown promise in controlled clinical trials. Common to some of these medications is the ability to reverse neural deficits in individuals with SRD. Results from thoroughly conducted clinical trials continue to broaden our knowledge increasing the possibility of soon developing effective pharmacotherapies for SRD.

Pharmacotherapeutics for substance-use disorders: a focus on dopaminergic medications

INTRODUCTION

Illicit substance-use is a substantial public health concern, contributing over $150 billion in costs annually to Americans. A complex disease, a substance-use disorder affects neural circuits involved in reinforcement, motivation, learning and memory, and inhibitory control.

AREAS COVERED

The modulatory influence of dopamine in mesocorticolimbic circuits contributes to encoding the primary reinforcing effects of substances and numerous studies suggest that aberrant signaling within these circuits contributes to the development of a substance-use disorder in some individuals. Decades of research focused on the clinical development of medications that directly target dopamine receptors has led to recent studies of agonist-like dopaminergic treatments for stimulant-use disorders and, more recently, cannabis-use disorder. Human studies evaluating the efficacy of dopaminergic agonist-like medications to reduce reinforcing effects and substance-use provide some insight into the design of future pharmacotherapy trials. A search of PubMed using specific brain regions, medications, and/or the terms 'dopamine', 'cognition', 'reinforcement', 'cocaine', 'methamphetamine', 'amphetamine', 'cannabis', 'treatment/pharmacotherapy', 'addiction/abuse/dependence' identified articles relevant to this review.

EXPERT OPINION

Conceptualization of substance-use disorders and their treatment continues to evolve. Current efforts increasingly focus on a strategy fostering combination pharmacotherapies that target multiple neurotransmitter systems.

Methylphenidate vs. resperidone in treatment of methamphetamine dependence: A clinical trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Currently, there is no widely accepted evidence-based pharmacotherapy regime for the treatment of psychostimulant dependence. Yet, different pharmacological approaches have been tried in the treatment of MA addiction. The present study was conducted to compare efficiency of methylphenidate which is relatively easily accessible in our country, with resperidone for this purpose.

METHODS

Eighty-six patients with MA dependence according to criteria defined by DSM IV-TR were divided into two groups. Patients in group R were given oral resperidone 1 mg daily for 1 week; then 2 mg daily in a divided dose for 3 weeks. Patients in group M were given oral methylphenidate 10 mg daily for 2 weeks, 7.5 mg daily for 1 week, then 5 mg daily for 1 week. They were evaluated for drug craving, psychological, neurologic and somatic symptoms at the start and end of the study.

FINDINGS

Both drugs were useful for lowering drug craving in patients; however resperidone was more effective (6.31 ± 8.31 vs.19.6 ± 12.45 cravings per week, respectively). The effects of resperidone were more notable in lowering frequency and intensity of psychiatric, neurologic, cardiac and somatic symptoms of the patients after discontinuation of MA abuse; however methylphenidate was effective too; though with a lower potency.

CONCLUSION

The present study confirmed that both methylphenidate and resperidone can successfully be used for treatment of MA dependence, in order to reduce drug craving and psychological, neurologic, and somatic problems in patients. However, the efficacy of methylphenidate was estimated to be less than that of resperidone for this purpose.

Methamphetamine use: a comprehensive review of molecular, preclinical and clinical findings

Methamphetamine (MA) is a highly addictive psychostimulant drug that principally affects the monoamine neurotransmitter systems of the brain and results in feelings of alertness, increased energy and euphoria. The drug is particularly popular with young adults, due to its wide availability, relatively low cost, and long duration of psychoactive effects. Extended use of MA is associated with many health problems that are not limited to the central nervous system, and contribute to increased morbidity and mortality in drug users. Numerous studies, using complementary techniques, have provided evidence that chronic MA use is associated with substantial neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment. These pathological effects of the drug, combined with the addictive properties of MA, contribute to a spectrum of psychosocial issues that include medical and legal problems, at-risk behaviors and high societal costs, such as public health consequences, loss of family support and housing instability. Treatment options include pharmacological, psychological or combination therapies. The present review summarizes the key findings in the literature spanning from molecular through to clinical effects.

Prescription use disorders in older adults

The number of older adults needing substance abuse treatment is projected to rise significantly in the next few decades. This paper will focus on the epidemic of prescription use disorders in older adults. Particular vulnerabilities of older adults to addiction will be considered. Specifically, the prevalence and patterns of use of opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines will be explored, including the effects of these substances on morbidity and mortality. Treatment intervention strategies will be briefly discussed, and areas for future research are suggested.

Use of stimulants to treat cocaine and methamphetamine abuse

The concept of using stimulants to treat cocaine and methamphetamine dependence is largely based on the "replacement" therapy model that has shown efficacy for treating nicotine and opiate dependence. Although results have been mixed, some evidence supports using stimulant medication to reduce cocaine use. There are not enough data to date to determine the efficacy of stimulants for methamphetamine dependence. Drawbacks of stimulants as treatments include the potential for abuse of the treatment, which necessitates careful screening and monitoring of patients. Possible reasons for efficacy of stimulants include enhancement of monoamine function dysregulated by chronic cocaine or methamphetamine use. Newer medications that enhance dopamine function but lack the abuse potential of older stimulants are being studied. It is hoped that these medications will provide safe, effective treatment for cocaine and methamphetamine dependence, but more research on this topic is needed.