Análise do uso de fármacos ampliadores cognitivos de controle especial entre acadêmicos de um curso de medicina na região Norte/RS

Abstract

The development of medicine that aim to improve intellectual and cognitive performance has been growing along the last decades, generating great interest among the population, especially univeristy students. This observational and descriptive study sought to analyze, through a qualitative-quantitative approach, the profile of users of specially controlled cognitive enhancing drugs in an undergraduate medical course in the North region of Rio Grande do Sul state, through a self-administered questionnaire. The average age was 26 years old, with a predominance of females. The results obtained indicate that the students were evenly distributed among the three cycles of the course: 29.93% of the sample stated that they had previously used some cognitive enhancing drug. Methylphenidate was the drug used by 95.45% of the participants, and the dosage used by 65.91% was 10mg. Half of the sample has already experienced adverse effects, mainly agitation, tachycardia and insomnia. However, 68.18% achieved the expected effects, realizing greater ability to concentrate (81.82%). In view of these findings, the professionalism and ethical conduct of future professionals are questioned when they will be prescribing medications, and also with the long-term harmful effects for these individuals who use the drug without an appropriate diagnosis. More studies like this are suggested in order to better identify the existing gaps, both in the educational system and in public policies for the supervision of specially controlled drugs.