Evaluation of concomitant methylphenidate and opioid use in patients with pain

Methylphenidate is a central nervous system simulant that is used for management of opioid-induced sedation. Sparse data exist regarding use patterns of methylphenidate and opioids in patients with pain. This retrospective data analysis evaluated concomitant methylphenidate and opioid use from physician-reported medication lists and in urine specimens of patients with pain. All specimens were analyzed and quantified with LC-MS-MS. Concomitant methylphenidate and opioid use (e.g., sample population) were compared with a baseline population of patients taking opioids. There were 3,326 patients with physician-reported use of methylphenidate. Of these, 1,089 patients were tested for the presence of methylphenidate in urine. Methylphenidate was positive in urine for 551 patients (detection rate of 50.6%). Ritalinic acid was positive in 776 patients (detection rate of 71.3%). The current study observed differences in the use pattern of methylphenidate based on opioid type. Physician-reported use revealed methadone had the highest percent difference between the sample and baseline populations (77%, P ≤ 0.05). Fentanyl, morphine and hydromorphone also had higher percent differences of 19.6, 25.3 and 32.3%, respectively. Further studies need to examine the apparent discrepancies between the physician-reported medication lists and urine drug testing of concomitant methylphenidate and opioid use in patients with pain.