What is Ritalin lung?

What is Ritalin lung?

Ritalin is the common name for methylphenidate, classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration as a Schedule II narcotic—the same classification as cocaine, morphine and amphetamines. It is abused by teens for its stimulant effects. Even when Ritalin is used as a prescription drug, it may have severe effects including nervousness, insomnia, anorexia, loss of appetite, pulse changes, heart problems and weight loss. The manufacturer says it is a drug of dependency.

In June 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a series of public health advisories warning that Ritalin and drugs like it may cause visual hallucinations, suicidal thoughts and psychotic behavior, as well as aggression or violent behavior. Ritalin abuse refers to snorting Ritalin, injecting Ritalin and the non-medical use of Ritalin. What makes Ritalin abuse so insidious is that many teens believe that Ritalin is safe as a recreational use since so many younger children take the drug.

Ritalin, often referred to by slang names “Kiddee Cocaine,” “Vitamin R” or “R Ball”, is increasingly becoming the gateway drug for many adolescents. It is easily accessible from siblings, classmates or friends and it is cheap compared to its cocaine counterpart. For many teens, buying Ritalin is easier than buying cigarettes or beer. Ritalin abuse can cause toxic overdose reactions, psychotic episodes, irregular heartbeat, stroke, convulsions, circulation problems and respiratory complications, heart arrhythmia and death.

While overdose death is not common, it has happened and happening on a more frequent basis than just five years ago. Ritalin taken as prescribed by a physician can lead to drug dependence and tolerance. The risk of drug dependence dramatically increases with abuse.

So what is Ritalin lung?

Ritalin lung is the name given to the pulmonary problems caused by intravenous or injection drug use of the drug. Ritalin is made with a lot of fillers including talc, cellulose, mineral oil and sugars. These fillers in Ritalin are harmless when it is taken orally but when it is injected it doesn’t go through the normal filtration system the body has. When Ritalin is injected it bypasses the filtration system and goes straight into the bloodstream. This can cause complications such as Ritalin lung. The most common pulmonary problem is pulmonary emphysema in drug users who inject Ritalin. In a study done by the Department of Radiology at the University of Washington in Seattle they did chest radiographs of 21 people aged 35 to 54 years old. All of the individuals shot up Ritalin and all of the individuals had pulmonary emphysema or Ritalin lung.

Damage can also be done to the nasal lining in the nose if Ritalin is crushed and snorted. Ritalin abuse in any way shape or form is dangerous not just when used intravenously. Ritalin should only be taken as prescribed and even then runs some risks of adverse side effects. The point is Ritalin is highly dangerous when abused and potentially dangerous when prescribed. It may be best if you or someone you know has ADHD to find another alternative to Ritalin.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8109495