There is a drug that is quickly in demand as the university’s academic ability test approaches. This is methylphenidate, which is considered a “medicine to study well” among the parents of test participants. According to the report by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, between 2011 and 2016, 2.28 million people were prescribed methylphenidate drugs.
SAT exams are close ㅣ Source: Getty Image Bank
It should be noted that the total number of prescriptions is decreasing from year to year, but the amount of prescription methylphenidate drugs for 18-year-old candidates continues to increase. The total amount of methylphenidate drugs prescribed to 18-year-olds was 478 million won in 2011, but in 2015 it increased by over 300 million won to 799 million won. Demand has also increased since October and tends to decline again in November and December after the entrance exam.
A treatment for ADHD that has nothing to do with school
Methylphenidate is a drug commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). At the time of its release, it was also used as a treatment for depression, chronic fatigue, and narcolepsy, but as it proved effective in treating ADHD in the 1960s, it was used extensively as a primary treatment for ADHD. until now. In particular, it is known that when used in patients with ADHD due to brain structure abnormalities, it helps improve the function of the basal ganglia, a part of the brain that plays an important role in the regulation of cognitive, perceptual and language functions. but also emotions and behaviors.
The problem is that people with ADHD who took methylphenidate started abusing methylphenidate to improve their focus after seeing their calm and better focus. In the United States, the so-called “study-drug” and abuse were very serious: in 2013 prescriptions increased by 66% compared to the previous year. In Korea, it is also popular as a “study medicine” in Gangnam and Mok-dong school districts and misuse occurs.
Methylphenidate is a DNRI antipsychotic that simultaneously inhibits the reuptake of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, and norepinephrine, which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system to increase concentration. It doesn’t directly affect dopamine secretion like amphetamines like methamphetamine, but it does mean it should be used very carefully. Although it is designed to act on the frontal lobe of the brain, it has been known to act on the frontal lobe and other parts of the brain, so misuse can cause serious side effects.
Good study medicine? Drugs with many side effects!
“Misuse of methylphenidate drugs can cause serious mental health problems,” said Joo Jun-kyung, a pharmacist at Hidak. Side effects such as hallucinations, delusions and suicide attempts can occur. He added: “It can also cause a big problem in student growth. When methylphenidate drugs are used for ADHD patients in the growth phase, it is used when monitoring physical development with a drug vacation,” he said. . The dangerous part is that there are too many drugs ”.
Additionally, if methylphenidate is misused without consulting or helping a specialist, there is a 20% chance of causing side effects such as decreased appetite, weight loss, headache, and insomnia. Considering the fact that from a medical point of view, if the probability of occurrence of side effects is more than 10%, it is expressed as “commonly”, which means that side effects occur frequently. In addition, side effects such as dry mouth and nausea are also common in more than 10% of cases and if a person with heart health problems takes methylphenidate, “sudden death”, “stroke”, “myocardial infarction”, etc. this happening is great
As the entrance exam approached, the condition of the students became more important than anything else. If you use the wrong drug and ruin your health and condition, you will not be able to perform the exam well no matter how well you study before the exam. It’s time not to miss the most important thing for a moment of concentration.
Help = Joo Joon-kyung, Hidak Medical Advisory Pharmacist
