Methylphenidate: What Is It And What Is It Used For?
Methylphenidate is a drug indicated for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is also used to treat postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and narcolepsy.
However, it can also be used, of course, always under medical prescription, to treat cases of fatigue and depression resistant to the usual treatments.
Knowing a little about the history of methylphenidate
The use of stimulants for the symptomatic treatment of narcolepsy dates back to the 1930s, when ephedrine and amphetamine began to be indicated.
Later, thanks to clinical research, significant progress was seen in hyperactive children who had been given amphetamines, specifically bencedrine. It was already in 1944 during World War II when methylphenidate was first synthesized.
During the war , many chemical variants of amphetamine had been experimented with, in the search for molecules with similar properties, but with fewer or milder adverse effects.
Later, the patent for methylphenidate was issued in 1954. The action of this drug on the human body revealed, with respect to the drugs of its class known to date, fewer neurovegetative side effects.
What is methylphenidate used for?
This drug belongs to the class of compounds with a piperidine structure. It increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain thanks to its ability to inhibit the reuptake of the respective monoamine transporters.
Methylphenidate has a similar structure to amphetamine, but it is not neurotoxic. In this way, its effects are not the same either. Let’s see in more detail for which pathologies this drug is indicated.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy