PEMOLINE THERAPY IN COLLEGE-STUDENTS WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Pemoline, a dopamine agonist, is effective in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but its efficacy in adults is u nknown. The authors studied the efficacy and safety of pemoline, using retrospective chart review of treated students with ADHD over a 2-yea r period. Forty students met diagnostic and treatment criteria; pemoli ne was associated with much improved or very much improved Clinical Gl obal Impression symptoms scores in 70% of the students during a treatm ent period of 14 or more days. Severity of illness scores dropped from 4.11 to 3.01 between baseline and subsequent evaluation. Nine evaluab le patients had adverse events, most commonly headaches, insomnia, and decreased appetite. Five additional students, who failed to meet the treatment-duration criterion, terminated because of severe initial ins omnia. The authors concluded that pemoline is effective and safe in st udents with ADHD and has a lower abuse potential than methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, the other two widely used, structurally dissimi lar compounds, but controlled studies may be necessary before any fina l conclusions are reached.