title: Are too many children being treated with methylphenidate?
abstract: A survey was conducted of the use of methylphenidate in British Columbia during a six month period to determine if a disproportionate number of children are being treated with methylphenidate for hyperactivity. The data obtained do not indicate a problem regarding the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. However, the data pertaining to adults indicate that the reasons stated for prescribing methylphenidate are controversial in a significant number of cases.
authors.affiliation: Bureau of Dangerous Drugs, Health and Welfare Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ruel
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Hickey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D008774:Methylphenidate