Efficacy of Venlafaxine and Methylphenidate in the Treatment of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Mahbobe Firoozkoohi moghaddam; fariba Arabgol; Sepideh Rajezi; Jamal Shams

Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences

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Efficacy of Venlafaxine and Methylphenidate in the Treatment of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Author(s):

Mahbobe Firoozkoohi moghaddam¹,

fariba Arabgol^2,*,

Sepideh Rajezi³,

Jamal Shams⁴

1Dept of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Zahedan, Iran

2Behavior Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Teharn, Iran

3Dept of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Teharn, Iran

4Neurology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Teharn, Iran

Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences:Vol. 5, issue 2; e95139

Published online:Jun 26, 2003

Article type:Research Article

Received:May 23, 2003

Accepted:Jun 24, 2003

How to Cite:Mahbobe Firoozkoohi moghaddamfariba ArabgolSepideh RajeziJamal ShamsEfficacy of Venlafaxine and Methylphenidate in the Treatment of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.Zahedan J Res Med Sci.5(2):e95139.

Abstract

Background : The role of noradrenergic system is strongly considered in etiology and treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Regarding the role of norepinephrin and serotonin neurotransmitters in activity and attention control processes, this study was performed to compare effectiveness of venlafaxine and methylphenidate in the treatment of ADHD.

Materials and Methods: Forty children with ADHD (aged 6-12) were randomly allocated to receive venlafaxine or methylphenidate in a 6-week clinical trial in Emam-Hossein Hospital. There were no significant differences between groups for age, weight, type and severity of the disorder. Based on DSM-IV criteria and ADHD Rating Scale, patients were diagnosed as having combined and inattentive types of ADHD. Treatment outcome was assessed using parent and teacher versions of ADHD Rating Scale in weeks 2, 4 and 6.

Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in ADHD Rating Scale scores and clinical improvement in each group and there was significant difference between the two groups. The most common adverse effects in venlafaxine group were nausea, sedation, dry mouth and dizziness.

Conclusion: Venlafaxine is effective in the treatment of children with ADHD and could be used as a safe drug in these children through further studies with greater sample sizes are needed to confirm these results.

Keywords

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

children

venlafaxine

methylphenidate

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