Drug treatment for hyperactive children. Therapeutic guidelines.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood behavioural disorder and medication is one of the principal treatments. Methylphenidate and dexamphetamine (dextroamphetamine) have a long record of use in children and well proven efficacy, and are the preferred drugs. Current clinical guidelines recommend a trial of methylphenidate and of dexamphetamine for each child meeting criteria for the disorder in order to maximise response rate and minimise adverse effects.
Elia
J
J
Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010389:Pemoline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D008774:Methylphenidate; D010389:Pemoline; D003913:Dextroamphetamine