CURRENT DRUG-THERAPY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterised by sy mptoms of inattentiveness and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity which are n ot appropriate to the child's age. This disorder usually manifests by age 3 and affects up to 5% of school-age children. Although the aetiol ogy is unknown, ADHD appears to have a strong genetic component and to involve dysregulation of the CNS dopaminergic system. Psychostimulant s are the mainstay of therapy. The majority of patients will respond t o an adequate trial of one of the 3 available stimulants, methylphenid ate, dexamphetamine or pemoline. Use of the tricyclic antidepressants as second-line agents is supported by substantial literature. Third-li ne agents include amfebutamone (bupropion) and clonidine. Other modali ties have been studied, but sufficient research is not available to re commend their use over the abovementioned treatments. Assessment of re sponse is best achieved by objective rating scales which allow for inp ut from various environments.