THE GROWTH OF RITALIN USE IN BRAZIL: PHARMACOLOGICAL, SOCIAL, AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH), commercially known as Ritalin, is a piperidine derivative structurally similar to amphetamines and acts as a potent central nervous system stimulant. Initially indicated for the treatment of narcolepsy, its use expanded in the 1960s when studies demonstrated its effectiveness in managing children with hyperactivity and attention difficulties. Between the 1960s and 1970s, it became established as a therapy for behavioral disorders in school settings, and during the 1980s, the consumption of psychostimulants increased significantly. The formal recognition of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in 1994 further boosted its prescription. From the 1990s onward, media campaigns and the growing visibility of ADHD consolidated methylphenidate as the main reference drug for its treatment. In Brazil, the production and importation of methylphenidate have increased by approximately 373% in ten years, placing the country as the second-largest consumer worldwide, behind only the United States. This sharp growth reflects both therapeutic use and non-medical consumption, raising important discussions about the pharmacological, social, and clinical impacts of the widespread use of Ritalin among the Brazilian population.