Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

Adverse reactions of Methylphenidate in children with attention deficit‑hyperactivity disorder: Report from a referral center

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Zahra Khajehpiri 1
. Javad Mahmoudi-Gharaei 2
. Toktam Faghihi 1
. Iman Karimzadeh 3
. Hossein Khalili 1
. Mostafa Mohammadi 4

1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Psychology Research Centre, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

4 Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract
Objective: The aim of the current study was to determine various aspects of methylphenidate 
adverse reactions in children with attention deficit‑hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Iran.
Methods: During the 6 months period, all children under methylphenidate treatment alone 
or along with other agents attending a university‑affiliated psychology clinic were screened 
regarding all subjective and objective adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of methylphenidate. 
Causality and seriousness of detected ADRs were assessed by relevant World Health 
Organization definitions. The Schumock and Thornton questionnaire was used to determine 
preventability of ADRs.
Findings: Seventy‑one patients including 25 girls and 46 boys with ADHD under 
methylphenidate treatment were enrolled within the study period. All (100%) ADHD 
children under methylphenidate treatment developed at least one ADR. Anorexia (74.3%), 
irritability (57.1%), and insomnia (47.2%) were the most frequent methylphenidate‑related 
adverse reactions. Except for one, all other detected ADRs were determined to be mild. In 
addition, no ADR was considered to be preventable and serious.
Conclusion: Our data suggested that although methylphenidate related adverse reactions 
were common in children with ADHD, but they were mainly mild and nonserious.

Keywords

Adverse drug reactions
attention deficit‑hyperactivity disorder
  Methylphenidate
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Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice
Volume 3, Issue 4
Autumn 2014
Pages 130-136

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