Epidemiology

• Abused both in PO and IV (crushed, dissolved) forms

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Pharmacology

• Methylphenidate is a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor

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Clinical Presentations

• Chest Pain + Wheezing + Hemoptysis (see Chest Pain, Obstructive Lung Disease, Hemoptysis)
• Panlobular Emphysema (see Obstructive Lung Disease)
  • Prognosis: may be fatal in some cases
• Drug-Induced Pulmonary Eosinophilia (see Drug-Induced Pulmonary Eosinophilia)

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References

• Panlobular pulmonary emphysema caused by IV injection of methylphenidate (Ritalin): findings on chest radiographs and CT scans. Am J Roentgenol 1994; 162: 555-560
• Severe precocious emphysema in intravenous methylphenidate (Ritalin) abusers. Chest 1987; 92: 1085-1087
• Eosinophilic syndrome with methylphenidate abuse. Ann Intern Med 1978; 89: 224-225