AUTOMEDICACIÓN CON METILFENIDATO EN ESTUDIANTES DEL CURSO DE MEDICINA EN LA UNIVERSIDAD PRIVADA MARÍA SERRANA, FILIAL CDE EN EL AÑO 2022

Abstract

This paper describes the frequency of methylphenidate use among medical students at a private university in Ciudad del Este, given that this practice has expanded for purposes other than therapeutic ones and is increasing among students and health professionals. As one of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Development Program is health and well-being, the present study aimed to determine the frequency of methylphenidate use without a prescription and its positive and/or adverse effects among medical students at the María Serrana Private University of CDE until 2022. To this end, a survey was conducted with probability sampling stratified by course and section, using the Google Forms platform, reaching 102 participants, with a minimum of 89, with a margin of error of 10% and a confidence level of 95%. A total of 40 people (39.21%) reported having used methylphenidate at some point in their lives; 30 (29.41%) said that they had done so under medical prescription. Among the main adverse effects, we can mention: nausea (7.6%), insomnia (17.47%), discomfort (5.8%), tachycardia (17.47%), nervousness and irritability (15.53%), headaches (17.47%), dry mouth (12.6%) and hand tremors (8.7%). The frequency of use of methylphenidate was almost 2/5, with only approximately 9% using it without the corresponding prescription, according to the respondents. The main reasons for use were to improve concentration and reduce physical and mental fatigue. Among the main adverse effects they reported experiencing were insomnia, tachycardia, nervousness and irritability, headaches and dry mouth.