Stimulant rebound: how common is it and what does it mean?
OBJECTIVE
To examine rates and implications of stimulant-induced rebound - the behavioral deterioration that may occur as stimulant medications wear off.


METHODS
This study compares nurse observations on evening shifts compared to day shifts in 149 psychiatrically hospitalized children treated with short-acting stimulants, usually methylphenidate, comparing nonmedication and stimulant-treated states.


RESULTS
Behavioral deterioration (rebound), was observed in 30% of children on at least one dose of stimulants but was serious enough to discontinue treatment in only 8.7%. Children experiencing rebound did not differ clinically from those who did not.


CONCLUSIONS
Rebound exists, occurs significantly in less than 10% of psychiatrically hospitalized children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and does not appear to have specific diagnostic significance.
Carlson
Gabrielle A
GA
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8790, USA.
Kelly
Kevin L
KL
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D019370:Observation / Q000379:methods; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants