title: Methylphenidate vs. resperidone in treatment of methamphetamine dependence: A clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Currently, there is no widely accepted evidence-based pharmacotherapy regime for the treatment of psychostimulant dependence. Yet, different pharmacological approaches have been tried in the treatment of MA addiction. The present study was conducted to compare efficiency of methylphenidate which is relatively easily accessible in our country, with resperidone for this purpose.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-six patients with MA dependence according to criteria defined by DSM IV-TR were divided into two groups. Patients in group R were given oral resperidone 1 mg daily for 1 week; then 2 mg daily in a divided dose for 3 weeks. Patients in group M were given oral methylphenidate 10 mg daily for 2 weeks, 7.5 mg daily for 1 week, then 5 mg daily for 1 week. They were evaluated for drug craving, psychological, neurologic and somatic symptoms at the start and end of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both drugs were useful for lowering drug craving in patients; however resperidone was more effective (6.31 ± 8.31 vs.19.6 ± 12.45 cravings per week, respectively). The effects of resperidone were more notable in lowering frequency and intensity of psychiatric, neurologic, cardiac and somatic symptoms of the patients after discontinuation of MA abuse; however methylphenidate was effective too; though with a lower potency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study confirmed that both methylphenidate and resperidone can successfully be used for treatment of MA dependence, in order to reduce drug craving and psychological, neurologic, and somatic problems in patients. However, the efficacy of methylphenidate was estimated to be less than that of resperidone for this purpose.
authors: Arak's University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors: Hassan
authors: H
authors: Solhi
authors: Arak's University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors: Hamid Reza
authors: HR
authors: Jamilian
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Buali Hospital, Qazvin's University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
authors: Amir Mohammad
authors: AM
authors: Kazemifar
authors: Arak's University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors: Javad
authors: J
authors: Javaheri
authors: Arak's University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors: Akram
authors: A
authors: Rasti Barzaki
keywords: Abuse; Dependence; Methamphetamine; Methylphenidate; Resperidone; Treatment