PINDOLOL AND METHYLPHENIDATE IN CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER - CLINICAL EFFICACY AND SIDE-EFFECTS

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy and side-effects of pindolol, a beta-blocker, in children with attention-deficit hyper activity disorder (ADHD). Fifty-two ADHD children, 7-13 years old, par ticipated in a prospective double-blind placebo-controlled comparison of pindolol and methylphenidate (MPH). Active treatment was pindolol a nd MPH: pindolol 20 mg b.i.d. or MPH 10 mg b.i.d. for 4 weeks. The out come was assessed on the basis of the Abbreviated Conners Rating Scale s (ACRS) completed by parents, teachers, and by a psychologist during psychological testing. Pindolol treatment was associated with a higher incidence of paraesthesias and with more intense nightmares and hallu cinations than MPH or placebo treatment. These side-effects led to an interim change in design by ending pindolol treatment after 32 partici pants. Pindolol proved to be just as effective as MPH in decreasing hy peractivity and conduct problems at home, and hyperactivity problems a t school. Pindolol, however, had less therapeutic effects than MPH dur ing psychological testing, and failed to affect conduct problems in sc hool. In sum, pindolol was modestly effective in the treatment of ADHD . Safety concerns on troubling side-effects clearly limit the use of i t. Copyright (C) 1996 Association for Child Psychology and Psychiatry.