Mr. Andriola, Efficacy and safety of methylphenidate and pemoline in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, CURR THER R, 61(4), 2000, pp. 208-215
Citations number
17
Categorie Soggetti
Pharmacology,"Pharmacology & Toxicology
Journal title
CURRENT THERAPEUTIC RESEARCH-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL
Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of m
ethylphenidate and pemoline in the treatment of children with attention def
icit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Background: Although methylphenidate, pemoline, and dextroamphetamine are a
ll approved for the treatment of ADHD in children, in 1998 methylphenidate
constituted similar to 70% of the market. To compare the efficacy of these
3 drugs in a large population of children and to assess adverse events asso
ciated with their administration, me conducted a retrospective descriptive
study of 500 children treated for ADHD at a large teaching institution.
Methods: The charts of 500 children aged 4 to 18 years treated for ADHD ove
r a 12-month period at a university-affiliated pediatric neurology clinic w
ere reviewed retrospectively. The author rated treatment success from 1 (po
or) to 4 (excellent) and assessed adverse effects based on the children's r
ecords.
Results: Methylphenidate was prescribed for 48% (n = 240) and pemoline for
49% (n = 245) of the patients, The mean treatment rating was higher for pem
oline (3.5 vs 2.7). Discontinuation was higher in the methylphenidate group
(32% [n = 77] vs 10% [n = 25]) for lack of efficacy but higher in the pemo
line group (22% [n = 54] vs 5% [n = 12]) for adverse effects (primarily ins
omnia). No liver abnormalities were reported in either group.
Conclusions: A higher percentage of pemoline- than methylphenidate-treated
children had an excellent clinical response; however, they also had more ad
verse events.