Determinants of compliance with methylphenidate therapy in children.
OBJECTIVE
To get more insight into factors that influence compliance with the use of methylphenidate.


METHODS
22 pharmacies detected children who used methylphenidate. Their parents were sent a questionnaire on the use of methylphenidate. In a case-control study, the influence of patient- and drug-related factors on compliance, as reported by parents, was determined.


RESULTS
Parents returned 117 (75%) of 157 questionnaires sent out. Of these, 47.8% of the children missed a dose two times a month or more. Forgetting to take the medication (87.9%) was the most important reason. The case-control study showed that children of 16-18 y were more likely to miss doses. Other patient- and drug-related factors did not influence the missing of doses.


CONCLUSIONS
A number of known determinants for compliance do not influence the missing of doses of methylphenidate. With about 80% of the parents reporting that their child missed doses of methylphenidate less than 5 times per month, compliance was quite good for the majority of the children.
Hugtenburg
Jacqueline G
JG
Department of Medical Pharmacology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. jg.hugtenburg@vumc.nl
Witte
Ivo
I
Heerdink
Eibert R
ER
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate