METHYLPHENIDATE VERSUS DEXAMPHETAMINE IN CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER - A DOUBLE-BLIND, CROSSOVER TRIAL

Objective. To compare methylphenidate (MPH) and dexamphetamine (DEX) i n a sample of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD). Method A total of 125 children with ADHD received both MPH (0.3 mg/kg twice daily) and DEX (0.15 mg/kg twice daily) for 2 weeks a dou ble-blind, crossover study. Outcome measures were Conners' Parent Rati ng Scale - Revised, Conners' Teacher Rating Scale-Revised, a Parent Gl obal Perceptions questionnaire, the Continuous Performance Test, and t he Barkley Side Effects Rating Scale. Results. There were significant group mean improvements from baseline score on all measures for both s timulants. On the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale-Revised, response was greater on MPH than DEX on the conduct problems and hyperactivity fact ors, as well as on the hyperactivity index. On the Conners' Parent Rat ing Scale-Revised, anxiety was the only factor to differ significantly , in favor of MPH. Parents rated 73% of subjects as globally improved on MPH and 69% improved on DEX, compared with baseline. Overall, 46% o f parents chose MPH as the preferred drug, compared with 37% who chose DEX. On the Continuous Performance Test, there was no difference in t he number of correct responses or errors between the two drugs. Conclu sions Most children with ADHD improve significantly on both MPH and DE X. There was a slight advantage to MPH on most measures.