Bupropion versus methylphenidate in the treatment of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: randomized double-blind study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the safety and efficacy of bupropion with methylphenidate in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).


METHODS
In a 6-week randomized double-blind study, 44 patients with a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of ADHD were randomly assigned to receive bupropion 100-150 mg/day (100 mg/day for <30 kg and 150 mg/day for >30 kg) or methylphenidate 20-30 mg/day. Symptoms were assessed using Teacher and Parent Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) at baseline and weeks 3 and 6.


RESULTS
Forty patients had at least one post-baseline measurement, and 38 patients completed the trial. No significant difference was found between the two groups on the Parent and Teacher ADHD-RS-IV scores ([F(1, 38) = 0.266, p = 0.609] and [F(1, 38) = 0.001, p = 0.972], respectively). By week 6, 18 patients (90%) in each group achieved response on the Parent scale (Fisher's exact test p-value = 1.0). With the Teacher ADHD-RS-IV used, eight (40%) patients in the bupropion group and 12 (60%) patients in the methylphenidate group achieved response by week 6 (χ(2) (1) = 1.600, p = 0.206). Headache was observed more frequently in the methylphenidate group. Frequency of other side effects was not significantly different between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Bupropion has a comparable safety and efficacy profile with methylphenidate in children and adolescents with ADHD.
Psychiatric Research Centre, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Morteza
M
Jafarinia
Mohammad-Reza
MR
Mohammadi
Amirhossein
A
Modabbernia
Mandana
M
Ashrafi
Danial
D
Khajavi
Mina
M
Tabrizi
Noorollah
N
Yadegari
Shahin
S
Akhondzadeh
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016642:Bupropion / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D016642:Bupropion; D008774:Methylphenidate