The Efficacy of 2 Different Dosages of Methylphenidate in Treating Adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• Published in: Canadian journal of psychiatry Vol. 48; no. 8; pp. 546 - 554
• Main Authors: Bouffard, Rachelle, Hechtman, Lily, Minde, Klaus, Iaboni-Kassab, Fiorella
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.09.2003; Canadian Psychiatric Association; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adults; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - drug therapy; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Biological and medical sciences; Central Nervous System Stimulants - administration & dosage; Central Nervous System Stimulants - adverse effects; Central Nervous System Stimulants - therapeutic use; Child; Cross-Over Studies; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Drugs; Female; Humans; Hyperactivity; Male; Medical sciences; Methylphenidate - administration & dosage; Methylphenidate - adverse effects; Methylphenidate - therapeutic use; Middle Aged; Neuropharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Physiological aspects; Psychoanaleptics: cns stimulant, antidepressant agent, nootropic agent, mood stabilizer..., (alzheimer disease); Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopharmacology; Stimulants; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment; Treatment Outcome; methylphenidate; attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; adults; Human; CNS stimulant; Psychotropic; Hyperactivity; Toxicity; Treatment efficiency; Crossover study; Dose activity relation; Symptomatology; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Attentional disorder; Follow up study; Adolescent; Young adult; Double blind study; Adult; Evolution; Severity score; Comparative study; Methylphenidate
• ISSN: 0706-7437; 1497-0015
• DOI: 10.1177/070674370304800806

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of methylphenidate in treating adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), using subjective (self-report) and objective (computerized test) measures. Method: This double-blind crossover trial of placebo vs methylphenidate included subjects with childhood and current ADHD symptoms, IQs above 80, no other psychiatric condition explaining their difficulties or requiring other treatment, and no substance abuse in the previous 6 months. We administered 10 mg 3 times daily of medication (that is, placebo or methylphenidate) for 2 weeks. On the final day, subjects completed self-report measures and were tested on computerized tests. We then increased dosage to 15 mg 3 times daily for 2 weeks and administered a complete reassessment on the final day. Following a 1-week washout, we repeated this process on the second medication (that is, placebo or methylphenidate). Results: Thirty adults with ADHD participated. Self-report measures and computerized tests showed significant improvements in ADHD symptoms on methylphenidate, compared with placebo. Other psychiatric symptoms (notably, anxiety and depression) were alleviated with methylphenidate. There was no significant difference between the 2 dosages of methylphenidate. Conclusion: Methylphenidate is effective in improving ADHD symptoms in adults with ADHD, is well tolerated, and has minimal side effects.