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Methylphenidate increases cigarette smoking

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Abstract

Rationale

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) and d-amphetamine (Dexedrine), stimulants commonly prescribed for behavioral problems associated with atttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), produce a similar constellation of behavioral effects. The results of previous studies suggest that d-amphetamine increases rates of smoking and the reinforcing effects of smoking. The effects of methylphenidate on smoking have not been assessed although it is the most commonly prescribed pharmacotherapy for ADHD and individuals with ADHD are at increased risk for smoking.

Objective

In this experiment the acute effects of a range of doses of methylphenidate (5, 10, 20, and 40 mg) and placebo were assessed in ten cigarette smokers who were not attempting to quit and were without ADHD or other Axis I psychiatric disorders.

Methods

Each dose of methylphenidate was tested once, whereas placebo was tested twice. One hour after ingesting drug, participants were allowed to smoke ad libitum for 4 h. Measures of smoking included total cigarettes smoked, total puffs, latency to the first cigarette, and carbon monoxide levels. Snacks and decaffeinated drinks were available ad libitum, and caloric intake during the 4-h smoking session was calculated.

Results

Methylphenidate dose dependently increased the total number of cigarettes smoked, number of puffs, and carbon monoxide levels. As expected, methylphenidate dose dependently decreased the number of food items consumed and caloric intake.

Conclusions

The results of this experiment suggest that methylphenidate, like d-amphetamine, increases rates of cigarette smoking.

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Abbreviations

ADHD:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ANOVA:

analysis of variance

THC:

Tetrahydrocannibinol

DVD:

digital video disc

CO:

carbon monoxide

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Frances P. Wagner, R.N., for her expert nursing assistance and Thomas E. Wooters and Angela J. Owens for their expert technical assistance. The National Institute on Drug Abuse grant DA 012665 (C.R.R.) supported this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA

    Craig R. Rush, Andrea R. Vansickel, William W. Stoops & Joshua A. Lile

  2. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA

    Craig R. Rush & Paul E. A. Glaser

  3. Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA

    Craig R. Rush, Andrea R. Vansickel & William W. Stoops

  4. Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA

    Stephen T. Higgins

  5. Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA

    Paul E. A. Glaser

  6. Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA

    Paul E. A. Glaser

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  1. Craig R. Rush
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  2. Stephen T. Higgins
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  3. Andrea R. Vansickel
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  6. Paul E. A. Glaser
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Correspondence to Craig R. Rush.

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Rush, C.R., Higgins, S.T., Vansickel, A.R. et al. Methylphenidate increases cigarette smoking. Psychopharmacology 181, 781–789 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-0021-8

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