title: Comparative short term efficacy and tolerability of methylphenidate and atomoxetine in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the short term efficacy and tolerability of methylphenidate and atomoxetine in children with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Open label randomized parallel group clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Child Guidance Clinic of a tertiary care hospital of Northern India from October 2010 to June 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  69 patients (age 6-14 y) with a diagnosis of ADHD receiving methylphenidate or atomoxetine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Methylphenidate (0.2-1 mg/kg/d) or atomoxetine (0.5-1.2 mg/kg/d) for eight weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Treatment response (>25% change in baseline Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Parent Rating Scale (VADPRS); Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Teacher Rating Scale (VADTRS); Clinical Global Impression Severity Scale (CGI-S) at eight weeks and adverse effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment response was observed in 90.7% patients from methylphenidate group and 86.2% patients of atomoxetine group at an average dose of 0.45 mg/kg/d and 0.61 mg/kg/d, respectively. The patients showed comparable improvement on VADPRS (P=0.500), VADTRS (P=0.264) and CGI-S (P=0.997). Weight loss was significantly higher in methylphenidate group (-0.57±0.78 kg; P=0.001), and heart rate increase was observed at higher rate in atomoxetine group (7± 9 bpm; P=0.021).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Methylphenidate and atomoxetine are efficacious in Indian children with ADHD at lesser doses than previously used. Their efficacy and tolerability are comparable. TRIAL REGISTRATION NO.: CTRI/2011/08/001981.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India. Correspondence to: Dr Jasmin Garg, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, India. jasmin.arneja@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jasmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.forename: Priti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arun
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Chavan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011437:Propylamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011437:Propylamines; D008774:Methylphenidate; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride